ready to use debian or ubuntu laptop reccomendations?

["Britton Kerin" <bkerin@fastmail.fm>]

I would like to buy my non-linux girlfriend a ready to 
use laptop with:
  
   wireless scan, falling back to CAT5 DHCP
   open office
   CD ROM that automounts
   SD card reader that automounts
   working sound card
   reasonable memory and disk
   working video acceleration (at least a bit)

The last item is nonessential, needed only to make
X more comfortable, not for games or anything.

I can spend about $1000, though it seems like they
should be available for less given the windows crud
that is out there and the supposed high cost of
Windows XP.

Is it possible to get such a system?  I tried with
linuxcertified but the system she got was broken in
a variety of ways.  I'd really appreciate it if
anyone has any reccomentations of a model that they
know from personnal experience will work.

Thanks,
Britton