acpi cmd is not available by default for Ubuntu.acpid or acpitools are needed to be installed in ubuntu for that.and ur computer supports acpi.apm was the earlier standard.
u can see details @ apt-cache show acpi
u can try this nifty cli tool called "modconf" to select ur driver modules in Debian based distros.
btwn in ubuntu for listing hw, use "lshw".
for GNOME,Debian or Ubuntu.
for system temp u need to install lm_sensors and run "sudo sensors-detect".also for hdd temp,install hddtemp.also computertemp(in debian).
for enabling smart monitoring in Debian/Ubuntu apt-get smartmontools
now for panel applets for these-
for temp monitor either apt-get install hardware-monitor or sensors-applet(new one!).
make ur custom panels(shashwat u know that better than any one?) to fit.
@shashwat:it's interesting to find many cool small softwares to install if u research via synaptic manager or aptitude.
an interesting thread in Ubuntu forum:
TOP 10: Your Top Ten Packages To Install