I was utterly shocked to find Linux Desktop has more uptime than Windows. Windows forced updates caused so many issues dealing with autosaves, I was spending like 5-10 minutes per day reopening all my programs for work.
Those random linux annoyances you need the terminal for? I had like 1 or 2 of them during month 1, solved faster than a single Forced Windows Reboot. Fedora been flawless 5 months later.
The only terminal work I do is opening ports for my kid's games. It really is the year of the Linux Desktop. Its utterly shocking to me I'm saying it, I was a hater for so long.
Generally, if you want hardware that you don't have to fight, the only option is to buy computers with Linux preinstalled, with support. Modern computers are sufficiently complicated that they really only can support one OS. And, for consumer hardware, they even half-ass that.
I googled it, it was like copypasting 2 or 3 commands, then I could watch reddit videos.
I can't remember the other bug, it might have been an ID10T error.
Can't even blame Linux for that, I have to install way more stuff to make Windows work out of the box. Fedora weirdly has lots of stuff already installed.
I would say that "Generally", it's not a thing you need to worry about. If something isn't working, it's probably a configuration issue on your side. The easiest way to avoid that is to pick an immutable distro like Fedora Silverblue, Suse MicroOS, and soon Ubuntu Core Desktop. Combine that with Flatpaks, and you pretty much never have to touch a terminal or worry about a broken system.
Generally, at this point, most hardware lines are supported. If there are problems, they are with new state of the art GPUs, some weird new modems or fingerprint readers. Generally, your mom won't be requiring those. If you are buying for yourself, just pre-check if there are linux drivers for each of these.
Why does anyone use Windows at home anymore? I guess gaming is still an issue?
Something of an understatement
Er....no? Though i do spend an inordinate amount of time closing as many holes as possible. Unfortunately, windows is ok. The telemetry, ands and other bullshit is embarrassing but the software i run is on windows. Tried Linux, various ones, but I spent more time messing about that (software didn't cut it, drivers were an arse for audio, graphic setup was strange) it was a relief to go back. Linux reminds me of w3.1 and all that memory allocation bollocks just to run a game. I choose my lazy acceptance, combined with 'as much as I can do to protect myself', over beating my head over a whole operating system that doesn't cut it for what i require. I won't entertain macs as i trust apple even less (for being closed).
E.g. Microsoft Edge on first launch can import bookmarks+stored passwords from Firefox (AFAIK without any user interaction, unless I clicked without thinking), and it also defaults to uploading this data to the Microsoft cloud (unless you're using a local account?).