Personally, I’m not brand loyal to any particular OS. There are good things about a lot of different operating systems, and I even have good things to say about ChromeOS. It just depends on what a user needs from an operating system.
Most Windows-only users I am acquainted with seem to want a device that mostly “just works” out of the box, whereas Linux requires a nonzero amount of tinkering for most distributions. I’ve never encountered a machine for sale with Linux pre-installed outside of niche small businesses selling pre-built PCs.
Windows users seem to want to just buy, have, and use a computer, whereas Linux users seem to enjoy problem solving and tinkering for fun. These two groups of people seem as if they’re very fundamentally different in what they want from a machine, so a user who solely uses Windows moving over to Linux never made much sense to me.
Why did you switch, and what was your process like? What made you choose Linux for your primary computing device, rather than macOS for example?
Also, Windows doesn’t “just work.” I’ve yet to encounter anyone who gets a Windows machine and has no problems at all.
My mother-in-law got a new laptop (didn’t consult me first) and it refused to even acknowledge her printer when plugged in. I plugged in my little transformer pad running an old Ubuntu and it printed in literally one second flat. She ended up having to get a new printer. Why? Because the existing one she had, the manufacturer didn’t pay their protectsia to have it in the included drivers base. And no, even a downloaded driver didn’t help.
So Windows has its own shit aplenty. That’s just one example of many. I think the idea that Windows is easier is a myth. Linux just happens to have a lot more to offer that requires a little learning, and most people are just too lazy or scared.
Anyone who takes the plunge and is willing to learn seems to be happy for having done it so… that should be enough testimonial.