I've been happily using Linux for many years and for some time now it's been my primary operating system on my main home PC. I did have XP on a laptop, but that's redundant now and there's a Chromebook for couch surfing.
Some may wonder if Linux has the applications they need. Well here are some that I use:
- The system is running Ubuntu. After years on the KDE desktop I'm using the default one and it gets the job done. At least as easy to use as Windows and possibly more responsive.
- Google Chrome is the most widely used browser and it works perfectly well on Linux. I think all the extensions work too, which opens lots of possibilities.
- I need Skype to talk to friends and people at work. I'm using their newer version that is still lacking some features, but I hope it's going to get those soon. This is Microsoft developing for Linux.
- Email is in Thunderbird as I've used it for years and it just works.
- LibreOffice is a very capable office suite that will do 99% of what most people need from such apps. Alternatively there's Google Office on the web.
- I use Audacity to record my podcast. If I need full multi-tracking then there's Ardour.
- Rhythmbox is one of many music players on Linux. There's also VLC that can play most media.
All this software is available for Free. Skype and Chrome are not open source, but I'm pragmatic about using whatever gets the job done for me.
Linux may not be for everyone, but I think it can meet the needs of many users whilst being cheaper and more secure than the alternatives. You can put it on a flash drive to try it out on most computers. Why not give it a try?
I also recommend Linux Mint which has been getting really good over the past few years and has taken over from Ubuntu as the most popular distro.
https://distrowatch.com/
https://www.linuxmint.com/
I have used Mint. I wonder if the Distrowatch chart reflects what people use. I don't think it's as well known generally
Here are the top 10 for 2016
http://www.tecmint.com/top-best-linux-distributions-2016/
Wise decision, steevc. But as a musician you better take Ubuntu–Studio with latency free recording. It comes with the same great bundle of music–software and a lot more musicians stuff. Studio works fine from the scratch since V16.04.
I have used it before. I just haven't been recording much music lately, so I haven't needed it. I have another PC that still has my audio interface in it as it didn't work as well with the new one. I used KXStudio too. I've not kept up to date with developments there.
Windows? What was that again? Please help me to remember ... :)
Debian (GRML) ratpoison screen vimperator
Oh, and now an android tablet