IF you are a student who really need to learn computer science it is better if you use some kind of a Linux version.
Normally sometimes linux is a pain because we have to learn few things.But once you learn them you wont shift to windows, Believe me
I am currently using ubuntu 9.04 a good release and far better than earlier .04 releases.
If you are a developer ( apart from .net ) you have to learn a lot with linux.
Ubuntu is a good enrty point for linux as it tries to bridge the gap between windows user friendliness with linux.
You can try it but have to be with it for certain time.
If you have a good internet conncetion that is more than enough 'coz well supported communities are there