Ubuntu is an excellent recommendation.
Linux Mint is also worth considering if you want to be really lazy about it. They are the 1st and 4th common distros on distrowatch for a reason. Here's how distrowatch describes Linux Mint:
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Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution whose goal is to provide a more complete out-of-the-box experience by including browser plugins, media codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and other components. It also adds a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, and a web-based package installation interface. Linux Mint is compatible with Ubuntu software repositories.
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Personally, I prefer Ubuntu despite the extra effort required. Ubuntu is already based on another distro (Debian), so I'd rather not use a distro (Mint) based on a distro (Ubuntu) based on a distro (Debian)
---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 PM ----------
You install Ubuntu fresh, not on top of any other OS. You'll download what's called a LiveCD, which you use to boot up your computer. It will load a usable operating system right off the CD and there will be an icon on the desktop to install it onto your computer. This applies for Linux Mint as well.