For first time plug-n-play distros, I either go with Linux Mint or Fedora, for me they have the best results for just working.
And make sure when installing them, you always check to use proprietary drivers and codecs if it’s an option, that will save you a bunch of trouble down the line.
Out of your price range listed, but I’ll list it for others. Sennheiser Momentum 4. Bluetooth tested on four different Linux devices and all have worked perfectly so far.
Super comfortable, great quality. Headphones I plan on having for a decade or more, I would highly recommend them.
I’ve been running a 6700xt for the last year and a half and it’s been great! Plays everything I want at high/ultra 1080p, anywhere from 160-240FPS depending on the game and settings.
I record gameplay no problem too with OBS. I’m on Nobara Linux, a gaming-focused Fedora Distro, haven’t had a single issue so far with it.
Yeah, seems like there isn’t a big group of folks that are looking for this kind of solution.
I’ve thought about designing a case to my specs that could be 3D printed or maybe be built with some very basic steel sheet, but that’s more DIY than I have time for right now.
I’ve owned a Thinkpad A485 with touchscreen for years and had several Linux distros on it including Manjaro and Linux Mint which I am currently using.
Never had any issues, touchscreen always works out of the box without me having to do anything extra. In fact, with a few distros, I’ve had issues with certain wireless mice, but my touchscreen always has worked. So I’ve actually had slightly better luck with the laptop touchscreen than some external mice lol.
Now a qualifier: I rarely use the touchscreen, and when I do, it’s always just to click something or scroll on an article or file list. I don’t do any special gestures or fancy touch functions, so I can’t speak to support from that perspective.
Very true, it people’s experiences will vary. It is a tradeoff for what you are willing to put up with for the FOSS change in workflow.
I find that at work, I am often forced into and fully MS framework anyways. Not able to install any software I want, forced to use their garbage. It’s really frustrating, but such is the state of things at most workplaces.