Dual booting with other software that writes to the boot loader.

[ffwd]

I have a new hp Elitebook Folio 947m with win 7 arriving in a few days that I want to dual boot with Linux
specs: hmm---apparently, I can't post links yet--specs copied below:
My concern is with the boot loader: Two other programs I need to install write data to the boot loader: Truecrypt (I have to have whole disc encryption) and Adobe suite--adobe plants some sort of software verification code in the MBR

1. What’s the best order to install the above so that the boot loader doesn’t get corrupted?
2. Would you agree that grub is the preferred boot loader for such an install?
3. I have not found anyone online who has installed Linux on the Elitebook folio 947m, so not sure which disto is best to use.

Any advice is welcome for past installs on other systems have been difficult for me to get both OSes to boot—I used grub, come to think of it, but it’s likely related to me not knowing what I’m doing. I’ve installed debian, unbuntu, mint, etc etc and they all just worked. It’s only since using the above two programs that I have had difficulty.
Thanks



hp Elitebook Folio 947m
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5-3427U (2.80/1.80 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache, 2 cores)
Processor technology
Intel® Core™ i5 with vPro technology
Chipset
Mobile Intel® QM77 Express

Memory
[ - ]

Memory slots
1 SODIMM
Memory, standard
4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
Memory upgrade
Upgradeable to 16 GB

Drives
[ - ]

Hard drive description
180 GB SATA SSD

Display Specifications
[ - ]

Display
14" diagonal LED-backlit HD anti-glare (1366 x 768)
Display size (diagonal)
14"

Graphic Subsystem
[ - ]

Graphics
Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Multimedia and Input Devices
[ - ]

Webcam
720p HD webcam
Audio
SRS PRO Audio
Integrated stereo speakers
Integrated dual-microphone array
Button for volume mute
function keys for volume up and down
Headphone/Microphone combo port
Keyboard
Spill-resistant backlit keyboard and drain
Pointing device
Glass Touchpad with on/off button, two-way scroll, gestures, two pick buttons
Pointstick with two additional pointstick buttons

Connectivity and Communications
[ - ]

Network interface
10/100/1000
Ports
2 USB 3.0
1 USB 3.0 charging
1 docking connector
1 secondary battery connector
1 DisplayPort 1.1a
1 VGA
1 AC power
1 combo stereo headphone/mic jack
1 RJ-45
Expansion slots
1 SD/MMC
Wireless
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 802.11a/b/g/n (2x2) and Bluetooth 4.0 combo

Battery and Power
[ - ]

Power
45W Smart AC adapter
Battery type
HP Long Life 4-cell (52 WHr) Li-Ion



Security Management
[ - ]

Security management
Standard: HP BIOS Protection
Microsoft Security Essentials
HP ProtectTools
Central Management for HP ProtectTools
TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2
Pre-Boot Security
HP SpareKey (requires initial user setup)
HP Disk Sanitizer
Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools -- perhaps I will not need Truecrpt with this--don't know
Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools
Face Recognition for HP ProtectTools
File Sanitizer for HP ProtectTools
Smart Card Reader
Security Lock Slot
Optional: Computrace (sold separately and requires the purchase of subscription)
Intel Anti-Theft Technology (requires Absolute Computrace subscription)
HP Fingerprint Sensor (select models)

Software and Applications

Management features
HP 3D DriveGuard