[PaulDavisThe1st]

> Can I run Ableton on linux?

Well, they do (what do you think powers the Push 3?) They just choose not to let you make that choice.

> can I run all the audio plugins that only ship windows/mac versions?

Obviously not (though yabridge can go quite a long way). Also note that you cannot run AudioUnit-only plugins on Windows, though there are not many released in only this format.

Fortunately, however, you can run Bitwig on Linux, along with one of a thousand or so 3rd party plugins. If you prefer a FLOSS alternative, those exist too, though the core functionality of Live & Bitwig is still not quite as polished (it is getting there, though).

Your point, however, is well taken. There's a world of software out there beyond the browser, and it is absolutely OS-dependent.