I want to walk into a computer store and do the following. Please advise.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

I want a laptop that's 100% Linux compatible, so I have with me a Ubuntu Live CD. Oh, and a Live SD Card too, for computers that don't have DVD drives. I also have headphones/mic.

What stores will allow me to test laptops on-site so I can choose one in which wi-fi, webcam, card reader, suspend, sound etc. work fine under Linux?

Oh, and also would like such store to exist somewhere in the US Northeast.

[EOTE]

1. I've yet to encounter a laptop that has much problem with Ubuntu.

I'd imagine very recent hardware would be even more compatible. Frankly, I wouldn't even bother. I'd just look for the laptop that suits your needs for the best price and go with that. You might need to go on a bit of a driver hunt, but I'd imagine this would get sorted out quickly.

[Recursion]

3. Newer Toshibae don't suspend on Maverick or Lucid

At least not if you have HPET and NOHZ enabled in your kernel (you have to edit your grub config and add HPET=no NOHZ=no to your kernel line.

[Recursion]

2. The Debian HCL is very useful

http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/

Ubuntu is pretty much Sid, as far as drivers are concerned.

What stores will allow me to test laptops on-site so I can choose one in which wi-fi, webcam, card reader, suspend, sound etc. work fine under Linux?

Good luck with that; I've never seen a store that does. That's why I use the HCL.