I've been using GNU/Linux on the desktop for about 10 years now, must have used at least 10 different distributions, and I've never had to compile my own driver

I've been using GNU/Linux on the desktop for about 10 years now, must have used at least 10 different distributions, and I've never had to compile my own driver for anything. WiFi, Ethernet, sound, graphics, etc., pretty much just works. I don't use Bluetooth, so I can't say about that, but it's my understanding that Bluetooth gremlins are common everywhere. For the past several years I've been recycling Windows 7 and up laptops by giving them a second life with GNU/Linux, and everything Just Works most of the time, including sound, videocard, power management, etc. The only thing I've had occasionally not working is the volume and brightness buttons, but they work most of the time as well. When my partner's Windows 8 laptop shit itself after an unconsentual upgrade, I installed Ubuntu on it, and it worked just fine out of the box, for years. This person is not a computer nerd by any means. I'm not saying your experience is not valid, but it is the complete opposite of mine.