I ran Linux on the desktop for 19 years before moving to Macs. I never had any hardware issues, because I always bought kit that was well-supported under Linux,

I ran Linux on the desktop for 19 years before moving to Macs. I never had any hardware issues, because I always bought kit that was well-supported under Linux, and stayed away from, say, "winmodems" and wifi chipsets with Windows-only binary blobs. I think so many of the problems people have with trying to move to Linux is that they get a wild hair one day, and then just try to switch, using the Microsoft-subsidized hardware they already have. My advice? Switch with some fresh hardware. Buy a GOOD machine that is known to have good support. Buy GOOD peripherals. With both, make sure you're buying stuff that actually works on its own, and doesn't require software magic in Windows. You're going to have to research a little, and probably spend a little more than you normally would, but Microsoft has made this situation the way it is. If you really want to escape their gravity well, you're probably going to have to do more than just switch your OS.