I've had the same experience installing Ubuntu on a computer with a broadcom wireless chip. It all just comes down to chance unless you buy a hardware + OS combo, which generally actually means mac or Windows. If you install your own OS you have to expect there may be driver incompatibilities, that's just how it is.
Ubuntu comes with drivers for Broadcom chips. You just have to select "yes" when the installer asks if you want to use proprietary drivers. Otherwise you have to open to the Software and Updates app, go to the Additional Drivers section, and manually check it.
