Been a long time Windows user but with each Windows version, I hate it more. So bloated and locked in. I saw that mint is a good beginner distribution but its not supported by framework. Is Ubuntu really different from Windows with a higher learning curve?
Talk me out of wasting hours to get linux working when Windows works out-of-the-box
If you want to escape windows, BSD or linux are the options you have usually. BSD is much harder tho.
As for linux, depends on what skill level distro you use. Debian is an average skill level distro as is devuan. I have had wireless mouse issues with one of my computers on devuan, but that could and probably is an anomaly.
Linux is for you if:
You want to escape windows badly If you are willing to learn how to make things functional in a new OS type situation, takes some patience I will admit, the first two years I switched back a few times let me tell you, especially the first.
But if you want your computer to not die within a few years due to malware, or really, ever for the most part, linux is definitely for you.
Btw, wine-staging can help bypass the gaming issue. Although, not all of them. If you like triple A games, it could be a mess. If you are like me and think triple A games suck massive dong, then you will likely not be missing much. The newest and only game I would ever have interest in would probably be starcraft 2. Currently, not working for me, but my comp is old so… yeah. Idk
Anywho, your mileage may vary.
10 years of linux for me so far, possibly more. I switched to it hoping to escape gaming, due to the toxicity. But no longer a problem for me.
Anywho, I would say, ZorinOS might be a good ubuntu alternative. It looks extremely flashy like windows whether its their xp design, or their newer ones which look similar to 10, etc… its likely a good way to get the proprietary support you want and the open source security you desire.
IF you want a challenge, anything artixlinux-like or archlinux-like.
But I doubt you do, given your frustration, more mentioning this in general for anyone. Avoid text mode installer installations is a given probably for you. IF you want to figure stuff out, you can always use virt-manager or virtualbox to test which linux is best for you. Or disk clone your windows before you switch to save all your info that you need.
Many tactics exist, hope you have a good one tho!