I use 2 laptops, both with linux (ZorinOS) and windows 10 LTSC. I also run 1 or 2 Windows OSes inside VMs.

I use windows for programs I can't run in linux, and I don't do any private browsing on them including entering passwords.
I use the linux OS for browsing and portable browsing (moving around the house)

One machine has random mac, so it leaves no wifi foot print. The other doesn't so it stays wired with wifi disabled.

When I need use the web I switch to linux. If I have to brows AND use windows apps, I either use 2 machines, or I run windows in VM without internet.

It depends on usecase.

I tried to switch to linux but many small things you take for granted in windows you have to make a big effort for in linux. Also not knowing how to increase the security and privacy on linux was a problem. Learning it was also a tall ask. So I just gave up and only use linux for browsing and maybe a VM to run windows in.

If you want linux for a new person. I recommend you look at Zorin, Mint, and POPos. These 3 OSes make it really easy for new users and are quite robust. Mint and POP have strong support behind them. POP has latest Kernel out of box.

Other linux OSes either lack some important comforts or are too technical. What I mean is, to alliviate some problems you have becoms too technical, and there are more basic problems (lacluster-ness) in them.

Wanna make sure your SSD gets trim commands? Wanna have progress bar for basic file copy? wanna control the network input output / firewall? want to mount drives? Wanna install a driver? Wanna have a simple screen scaling like in wondows? well... Good luck with all that in linux.

    chromeOS. It just works and is actually secure. People are still impressed when they see two isolated Signals side-by-side with different color codings and it's not Qubes.

      alex

      any tips for using it in a private manner to minimize google tracking?

      • alex replied to this.

          applesbana Deactivate telemetry, go through the privacy settings, don't store sensitive stuff in Google Drive (alternatively encrypt your files before uploading). It can be quite straight forward

            2 months later

            [deleted] for newbie and hardware compatibility I would recommend Ubuntu or other Ubuntu based distros.

              I would suggest to avoid qubes os as it is a nightmare for beginners.
              Start learning with user friendly distros as ubuntu, kubuntu, mint with cinnamon or xfce, open suse with kde or xfce. Most windows like experience is with xfce or KDE. And there is Zorin os that tries to look like windows and it is based on Ubuntu or Debian, I'm not sure.

                • [deleted]

                • Post #59

                Dabian 11 at home and also at the office

                I have been using Arch Linux for the past three years, and I am very satisfied with it. However, it requires a fair amount of research and technical knowledge to harden it properly. One should keep in mind that it is a DIY Linux distribution. This is not really appropriate for Linux newcomers.

                One can read the following recommendations of Desktop OS security-wise:

                In the next few years, once I get newer hardware, I plan to use QubeOS with Arch template.

                On desktop I do dualboot kubuntu (encrypted root and home) and windows. On servers I use opensuse or ubuntu. Kubuntu is my primary dekstop os for about 7 years now at work and at home. Windows I use only for games. I'm using ubuntu not because I like it, but because most things work with it. I've been using also opensuse on desktop for a year or so, but I like when things work. Using printer, scanner, or whatever, is usually impossible on other distro than ubuntu. On windows everything works out of the box, but I don't want to pay comfort with my privacy. On ubuntu it costs some effort, but with other distros it costs me so much time with everything I can think of. That time I want to spend better than figuring out why this or that does not work.

                Open Suse Tumbleweed rolling release with kde. A beautiful distro and user friendly. Secure also

                MacOS for work and Garuda (Arch) for personal.