I am new to Linux and not sure which way to run Ubuntu! I have it downloaded and if want to run than boot up from powering up....does it matter whether you run it that way or as the only OS on laptop or in virtual box. Like I said new to this and I hope everything I said makes sense....lol....thank you bunches........ps I have never run anything but Windows..........

If you have downloaded the Ubuntu iso file, you can boot it and run it from VirtualBox or some other virtual software. You can also burn it as an image to a CD/DVD and boot your computer with it in the drive and the drive set to first boot priority in the BIOS and use it as a Live CD or select to install it. What exactly would you like to do? Do you have some other operating system currently installed?

One of the best ways to learn linux may be to run a virtual machine. A virtual machine allows you to keep your current OS and run almost any common OS at the same time. The assumes you have a powerful enough computer. Most newish laptops should be OK for that.

The second choice may be to simply use the live cd or make a live usb flash and power up and boot to those. This is a very safe way to test your system and to see if you like the version you have selected. Many distro's exist and there may be one you like better. Each has a kind of steep learning curve. Just remember there tends to be a similar way to do stuff in linux. You just take the idea you learned in windows and do it the linux way. Names may be slightly different but simple stuff like cut and paste and such are all the same.

Either way is a good way to start linux. I'd suggest you keep away from a dual boot until you get the hang of linux. Be sure you know how to return to windows should this all fail. Be sure you have windows disks and or know that you may need a recovery partition on your current hard drive.