Just trying to be helpful, even though the thread is closed...
1 - Ubuntu will work on Acer one, but after alot of tweaking. For example the Atheros wifi card won't work out of the box. Some remixes work better, but not totally. Ubuntu has a very interesting remix called easyPeasy (
http://www.geteasypeasy.com/) but again, I think it needs post install tweaking.
If you are a noob, I would suggest...
2 - Download the Acer-ised linux known as
Linpus linux. Originally the Acer one was released (in Europe anyway) with this OS. You can find it on Torrent sites (e.g.
http://www.mininova.org/tor/1618012) and probably on the Acer site. It includes ALL the drivers are built in so no issues with post installation tweaking and stuff not working.
This is open source under the GPL licence so referencing it here is not against the site rules. Please be aware that referencing illegal download probably is against site rules
3 - As Captaincranky said, get an external DVD/CD. Don't know how much they are where you are, but here in Spain, 49€ gets you a pretty decent device. You won't regret it. Then with your download, you can burn an ISO disk and install Linux.
4 - I just installed WinXP pro on an Acer one and believe me it was not as straightforward as you'd think. Once installed, you then have to go to the Acer site and download 8 seperate drivers (trackpad, Realtek audio, wi-fi, ethernet, USB, camera, screen driver and I forget the last one!).
5 - Many Linux distros come as a live-ISO, meaning you can run the whole OS without installing. Like try-before-you-buy, but obviously many Linux distros are Open Source so its really try-before-you-overwritewhatyoualreadyhave.
Hope that helps