[forgotmypw17]

I code on Linux, and I run Mac on my desktop.

For media playback, safe web browsing, and writing documents, I use the Mac.

For a sane coding environment and a workstation without non-consensual changes, I use the Linux VM. (Bonus: easy snapshots, including RAM state.)

Currently using a 7-year-old Mac and it's reasonably performant for my purposes.

The best of both worlds, IMO.

For distros, I recommend you spend a couple of hours trying several different ones (and several different VMs) until you find one which you like. Again, I avoid anything with a history of non-consensual changes, so Gnome and KDE are out, but there are plenty of other choices. Inside a VM, of course, lighter is better.