VMWare has for download at its website a pre-compiled virtual machine image for Ubuntu Linux. This is one of my favorite desktop Linux distros due to its stability (Debian core) and ease of use. Check it out for yourself.
Ubuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release.