Starting to use linux

I have just bought a new laptop with windows vista on it and I find that Medion (the makers of the laptop) do not intend to produce an updated driver for my (Medion) scanner.
So I thought it might be time to change form Windows where I can.I use Solidworks and AutoCAD so will probably be stuck with windows for these programmes. How do I go about installing linux on my computer so I can use both Systems and will I be able to run my scanner?
Thanks in anticipation, texteditor.

Well (!) you have a choice of VMWARE , XEN , or one of the "others".

I can tell you that VMWARE server is free and will definitely do the job, although I'm not sure how AutoCAD will perform inside VMWARE re; graphics.

That said, the same it probably true of other virtualisation methods when it comes to virtualised graphics performance .. I must say I'm surprised AutoCAD don't do a linux version yet (do they?)

As far as the scanner goes, have a look at "linuxprinting.org", with a bit of luck it may be listed there, and if it does, most standard apps (open office, gimp etc) will import directly from the scanner.

Failing that you'll need to load (SANE) and the xsane front-end to do scanning ...