I've been wanting to switch to linux, but, I don't understand it at all, and don't have alot of time to learn. I think next time I'm going with a MAC. You're definately right about Microsoft.
I have experience with Linux live CD, but another fellow where I work said to try Ubuntu (Linux distribution). It's very user friendly and windows-like intuitively. As a matter of fact, besides downloading it, I think the local tech stores, I forget if it's Target or Office Max carries the most recent version for a modest price and you can even get a computer with it loaded on for you.
Right now I have 2 aging computers with Microsoft. The one here my wife needs to run her doctor's software, so we're kind of trapped in that regards. My other computer upstairs has XP Pro and is not having problems at the moment, but next major event Linux will get permanently installed. But we have smaller devices (netbooks, etc) with Android and my wife acquired my son's Mac notebook after she got a nasty virus on the Microsoft laptop. He just wanted a new one but there was nothing wrong with it.
Both my sons have Macs and in the 3 or so years they had them there was NEVER a virus problem. I used to have a gullible brother-in-law who mindlessly clicked on everything and forwarded emails to the family and everyone was getting a virus. Finally my smart sister-in-law was tired of cleaning up the PC from viruses all the time and got him a Mac. He never got a virus again--- and he was and still is as sloppy as they come.
If you can afford a Mac, then I say go for it as well as it is also great OS. I cannot understand people's mindless devotion to Microsoft.
When I pay good money for an OS, I expect it to work. People boast that Microsoft can do some things other OS's can't do, but IMO it's minimal. As a comparison, how would you want to hire the "best worker" with "extraordinary skills" only to have him out sick every other day? How about a dependable employee instead with slightly less skills who is always there? I think hiring the second, dependable one is a no-brainer. I rather have dependability and slightly less, than all kinds of bells and whistles but it does not work right half the time.
But I'm preaching to the choir. I'm glad you are one who sees it the same way.