I want a laptop with Linux installed on it, is that the way to go with laptops? or should i stick with XP and install Linux on it ?

Thanks

IF you can find one with Linux already installed on it and that is what you want/need
then buy it preinstalled.
You can avoid a few head aches that way.

If you get one with windows on it and install Linux later.
You can run into support problems for some of the windows only hardware in a laptop just you can in a desktop.