[zb3]

> Microsoft Office and games. No, not LibreOffice and Tux Racer.

Not everyone will be as displeased with LibreOffice since not everyone uses MS Office professionally.. I'd argue further: for MOST people this is acceptable!

> Wine has gotten a lot better compared to years past, but if you need/want Windows software you still need Windows.

Not the case for PhotoScape for example (which was on the "required" list in this case). Also fortunately more and more programs are cross-platform, and again, for MOST people they're acceptable.

> Also, if you're using esoteric hardware: Forget it.

What?? It was the opposite, Linux doesn't require TPM, runs fine on older laptops and even runs faster with lighter DE's..

[freeone3000]

ok, but what if you need something off-the-wall, like a scanner?

[heraclius1729]

These days, I personally haven't had any issues with odd scanners or printers and getting them to work. Years ago it was nightmarish, but now it tends to be a lot easier than Windows in my experience. My scanner still doesn't work in Windows (granted: I haven't sunk more than about 25 minutes into trying to get it to work), but it works just fine on Linux (with zero effort).

[CapricornNoble]

I'm running Void Linux + Brother ADS-1200 + Skanpage + paperless-ngx in Docker with almost no issues. I deliberately picked the ADS-1200 after poking around old HN threads for near bulletproof, reliable and well-supported scanners. If you already have a particular Windows-friendly scanner or printer and want to just switch OSes as seamlessly as possible.....yeah you'll probably have some frustrations.