+1 for this. My tech hope in 2024 is.. "RISC-V has reach the perfect system for consumer level" like I installed Debian on my thinkpad laptop, without any error..

Why not jumping directly to Podman if you want more resilent system from beginning? Just my opinion

Now I understand why some people in the comments from other platform said "Fedora is the new Ubuntu"; in popular perspective today! Loud applause to the Fedora Dev team! Respect.

Fennec on F-droid is good, at least for my need to surfing safe website.

Fsearch, Recommended by Linux Format Magazine in their November 2023 series.

something strong enough to be a stable link in my entire network; if that makes sense. Because I have many plans for things I want to learn about and add to my network or system down the road.

You need to check out Fedora Podcast EP: Getting Fedora with your Lenovo. For the first time they take laptop compatibility with Fedora Linux ecosystem seriously and announce it with such a deep detail on how they do that.

how am I supposed to know which machines are better or even “compatible” with Linux? like all linux distros or flavors?

I think Thinkpad line seems to be your right choice. Not for all linux distros, but at least Thinkpad has used by many developers in the world, so probably more compatible than other laptop brand IMO.

I never predict Signal will implement this QuanResist really fast pace than other messenger apps. Applause to the dev team!

Supporting open-source digital environment and resist to big corporate's monopoly.

what does Linux have that I need?

• Better interface than Windows (KDE WM)
• Stable and noo downtime internet speed like Windows because background update, can increase your internet speed to 40% (can up to 80% in my case with Q4OS + pure profile installation)
• Customizable interface according to your preference (with learning curve first)
• As a home desktop, there's so many useful apps from Linux (Recoll for example) that you can't find on Windows
• Very lightweight and power save (according with the linux you use)

What can motivate me to migrate?

IMO when you migrate to Linux, you can learn many things that you never think about before and it give you the easiest solution for daily life. From piracy, privacy, ideology, and deep tinkering other things that you can't do on Windows (Coreboot / Libreboot, or HAM Radio hack for example).

What is a good Linux to have for a desktop + steam?

Pop! OS is the best choice you have. But if you want to create home desktop for your family using it, I recommended Q4OS with Pure Profile installation, just install Firefox + Ublock Origin and you can go perfectly good..

Thinkpad x200s (2009) with Core2Duo SL9400, 2gb RAM, 128gb SSD + AntiX Linux with herbsluftwm.

Firefox will not perform smooth here, but very usable. I watch youtube video from Yewtube on Terminal + mpv, browsing only on Lemmy, news on Newsboat RSS feed, Palemoon if some news sources are heavy, and download with wget.

IMO if you experiencing problem on Firefox with that spec, I think there's a problem with your Operation System or your OS is very hungry power. I recommended using Q4OS linux with pure profile installation for minimalist system out of the box in KDE environment. The performance are very good on my Thinkpad x260..

• Newsboat Lightweight, custom rich, with very cool look on terminal.
• Doom Emacs Very hard to use. But once you got it, nothin can beat its multi-function note!
• Freeplane Must have software to mapping everything you want perfectly and very lightweight brain-mapping.

Totally agree with this. The more you understand the terminal, the more you know how fast and efficient command line is (not for all activity, but many of them are easily done through command line) rather than through UI. But it takes time to understand, not in insant.