Linux

I just moved from Windows to Linux (currently, PopOS) this year around.

You can try out beginner friendly distributions like PopOS, Linux Mint, ZorinOS which are Ubuntu-Debian based or Fedora. Like others have mentioned, applications made on Linux are expected to be cross-compatible with all distributions so your choice will mainly come down to what desktop environment you like as there are many with different feel to the user experience.

To know what works for you try these out in a VM if possible before biting the bullet so you know what all packages are present in Linux, and what all of your usecase will need to be managed through WINE/Proton compatibility layers.

You would want to avoid Ubuntu, and installing anything through Snap or PPA repositories if it ever comes up in your searches.

You should probably try Linux Mint, or if you have an NVIDIA card, Pop!_OS

The recommendations here aren't bad but I would highly recommend ZorinOS. It's familiar to Windows and does a lot to be beginner friendly.

Scan through some YouTube videos of each of these recommended distros and see which one you like the look of best; They are all good recommendations.

I'd like to throw Zorin in the pot, I use it on all my devices (and servers) since it's just smooth and works without fuss or tinkering. There's a Gnome version and an XFCE version, both are very nice. XFCE is a little lighter in weight of course, which you may like or need.

I did the same and moved to kubuntu. You can play Xbox game on the cloud really good on Linux. And you have heroic games launcher for the main non steam launchers. I game and work in Linux and couldn't be happier honestly, ask me anything you want

So far my main struggle with any flavor of Linux has been battery drain and ram usage. I haven’t been able to get laptops to suspend properly, they only turn the screen off.

Check out peppermint OS. Runs on most hardware , lightweight and easy. Debian based , stable and got most things you might need. Easy transfer from Windows since a bit prepared for using web-based stuff

Here's a tl;dr of my Linux learning curve -- from 0 (Windows pleb) to hero:

Start with a "user-friendly" distro (Linux Mint, ZorinOS) and get used to its package manager (i.e How to install, uninstall and remove stuff. Also, your best friend.).

Then go for a more "serious" distro like Debian. And from Debian... Arch. Keep at it until you've got the most interesting commands (and "whom is whom" regarding video graphics, audio, etc... the "basic" stuff) written on your forehead.

After that, "duckduckgo" about "Minimal linux installation" or "Baremetal linux installation". Follow the instructions closely and at heart. PS: You are gonna suffer a bit.... but that is perfectly fine. Once again, you are gonna have to get used to it and to witness "your own distro" booting up for the first time. Yes, the nerdgasm feels quite great.

At this point, there is nothing "much" to learn other than to add more "depth" to the stuff you learned by "duckduckgo" about "Linux how do I improve my network", "Linux how to improve performance", etc until you are used to all that.

Now, you've reached the "average user" status and there is nothing "strictly necessary" to learn -- so start your own github, send your .dotfiles/scripts in, and go take a break. Congrats, you are now a penguin.

If you're not a techy person/power user, I would recommend staying with Kubuntu/Xubuntu (flavors of Ubuntu, that seem familiar to Windows users), or a more loved variant Linux Mint. You'll have everything you need there, and your gaming will do just fine using Steam thanks to Proton. My first time (~2014) I went with Ubuntu, since it has an easy to use installer (like most distributions), with relatively sane default settings. Nowadays I would recommend Linux Mint or anything Debian based for the stability.