So I guess its time to start working with Linux again. I have "played with" linux many times over the years and have run it as a server for decades, but I haven't used a linux laptop or desktop as a daily driver.
I'm not a noob
I know my way around a terminal, I understand kernels and distros, but this hasn't been easy. Even little things like trying to use the Ubuntu Software manager is a pain. I end up going to the terminal and just installing apps that I need from there.
This is not the way to get "normal" people away from big tech. They need things that are simple. Relying on web-apps is not going to cut it.
Still, this time I'm going to leave it on my laptop for at least a couple months. There are only two programs that must be run on windows, and there is no way that they are going to be "ported" to Linux, so I will keep my more powerful desktop windows for the time being.
Longer life, the Reduce side of the equation
Part of the reason that I have went with Linux on the laptop is that it is over 4 years old now and needed a performance boost.
I'm hoping that by running Linux, first with Ubuntu to get used to the experience and then later with a lighterweight distro I will get many more years out of this machine. It runs well and while I will likely need to get a new battery for it that is an easy replacement with this machine.
My next computer
The next laptop that I will be buying to replace this one, in the chance that travel for work starts to happen again in the next 6-12 months, is the one from Framework, something that I'm hoping to Frankenstein for 5-10yrs into the future. Something that I will be able to change out components as they wear out from use vs planned obsolescence.