Finally got around to replacing my ubuntu linux partition with a recent copy of Solaris Nevada (b70b). Happy to report that the new install GUI worked very well and I had no problems configuring the GRUB menu to have my windows and solaris partitions live happily side by side! Graphics, io, wifi, battery reporting all work fine. Netbeans worked like a treat first time round too.

There were a few issues with the installation on my Sony Vaio FE41S laptop. The sound card was one. I think I hit bug 6512149. A simple upgrade to the latest solaris nevada download will solve that one for me. Still haven't had time to properly check out issues with the inbuilt motion camera, the bluetooth stack and the sony short cut keys. Not essential though for my day to day operations.