Is Switching to Linux Worth It for School and Development?

I agree with others about dual booting. It's practical to have both Windows and Linux available, especially for school assignments. For Linux distros, I'd recommend Fedora for a nice balance between stability and modernity or even Debian if you prioritize stability. You might find that as you learn, some tools you need can work just as well on Linux as they do on Windows!

If your school is using .NET, there's a good chance you can still work on Linux, especially if it's .NET Core. Tools like Visual Studio Code work really well on Linux too. However, if you run into any Windows-specific issues, you could set up a virtual machine or even dual boot your laptop with both Windows and Linux to keep all your bases covered.

I switched to Linux a while back and I love it! Visual Studio Code works flawlessly on it. I personally recommend Fedora, especially since it's user-friendly. However, if you want something to feel closer to Windows, Mint could be a great choice. Just remember to test your preferred distros through a live USB before fully committing!

It's really nice that you're considering your teacher's situation too! At the end of the day, remember that they deal with all kinds of setups, so don’t stress too much about it. As for using Linux, I suggest starting with a dual boot setup. You can get a solid used laptop, install something like Linux Mint or Fedora, and keep Windows for those school projects. Mint is beginner-friendly and stable, while Fedora gives a nice balance of up-to-date features.

If you're ready to try out Linux, I don't recommend jumping directly into something like Arch at first unless you're eager to learn and tinker. Distros like Mint or Ubuntu offer a much smoother introduction. If you're looking for a really easy-to-use option that doesn't require too much command line, Mint is a great start. You can always explore other distros once you're more comfortable!