I'm starting to look into buying a laptop for college this fall. It's a long way off, but since I'm the sort that has to research, agnonize, and change their mind twelve different times before even setting foot in a store, I figured I should start the process now.

The trouble is, I have no idea what I'm doing. I've never bought a computer before, and I don't really know what I'll need. I don't know what brands are good, or how much RAM I should get.

I do know this much:

-I'll be using it mostly for word processing and net-surfing, along with possibly some really beginner-level programming or web design (as in just starting to play with Python, and am not even good enough at HTML to suck at it), playing mp3s, and maybe uploading and tweaking photos. I don't play computer games, unless you count things like text adventures. (Yeah, I'm lame.)
-I like Firefox, dislike Internet Explorer. Like TheGIMP, hate Paint. Like RoughDraft, since it's built for writers, largely dislike Word.
-While I'll have an ethernet cable in my room, the campus also offers wifi in most of the buildings and classrooms. I really want to take advantage of this.
-I have this vague idea that I'd like to use Ubuntu (I have a shiny new CD sitting right in front of me), but I've read that Ubuntu and wireless networking don't get along very well. Is there any truth to this? I've heard that the university's IT help desk is often... well... unhelpful, and I don't want to set myself up for frustration.
-I might have an iPod by then. Dunno if this makes any difference, but I thought I'd throw it in there.

I'm sorry for my complete and utter cluelessness. If anyone could provide me with help or some suggestions, I'd be really grateful.