as a general rule, if you can run windows 11, you can run linux mint. i use xfce, but i've heard good things about cinnamon.

@badgraph1csghost noted

weird coincidence with the timing; I am actually just now planning to test out Mint on my old tower desktop to see if my old Windows games work in WINE. after I move I am planning to move my current gaming laptop to Linux if it works and get a separate work computer, BC I need windows for work and don't want my personal files on my work computer or windows 11

my current laptop was purchased for futureproof specs, so the plan would be to keep using it for frivolities (all of which I could theoretically run on Linux / with wine) and Windows 11 Work Computer just does work programs and stuff that requires windows / office

pulled out the tower BC I want to test what things work in wine and get familiar with the OS before I switch on my main personal computer. not installing anything on my main personal computer until I have a separate work device because I need windows for work and need it functioning so can't afford to break anything w/o a backup. so we can learn mint together this summer IG :)

also being a total noob who knows nothing about Linux, if this is your main computer, I would recommend dual booting if you can manage it, just in case. from my understanding, WINE isn't necessarily calibrated to do windowsy stuff outside of games and even if you never use it, that way you're prepared if you end up needing a windows program that won't run in wine

@draggianuniverse thanks for the advice