I have been using a desktop for my main computer for several years, only using the laptop for occasional things. Due to space restrictions I have now swapped around and am giving the desktop to my granddaughter. When I bought the desktop about six months ago it had Windows 7 on the HDD. As I don't use Windows I disconnected the HDD, installed the HDD with Ubuntu on it (from the old desktop which had the motherboard fail). This was a good move, as when I decided to let my GD have it, I could just re-connect the original Windows HDD which was in pristine condition.
As the Acer 5101 laptop (AMD Turion 64bit processor) could not run HD Video, I decided to replace it with a new laptop (Acer 5742 with Intel Pentium i3 processor). I have done the same move, removed the Windows HDD and installed the Ubuntu HDD from the previous laptop, it runs HDV perfectly. If I replace it in the future I shall be able to sell it with Windows 7 in as new condition.