Which Linux Distro Should I Choose for My Laptop?

Hey everyone! I'm on the hunt for a new laptop since I'll be away from my main PC for a while. I think it's the perfect excuse to finally dive into Linux, but I'm feeling a bit lost when it comes to choosing a distro. I've heard the term 'distro' and I'm really hoping it just means 'version' of Linux!

I'm primarily using my computer for digital art, especially programs like Blender, Inkscape, and Clip Studio—all of which I believe have Linux versions. I also enjoy gaming and, admittedly, scrolling through the internet. Ideally, I'd like something that can work harmoniously with my existing Windows setup and maybe even run .exe files (I know there's a way to do that). I'm open to customizing my OS to feel more like Windows. With a basic IT background, I think I can manage the setup.

One of my biggest worries is reliability. I often get asked why something isn't working on Linux, and I don't want to be at a loss for answers. I've seen that there's a lengthy intro guide out there that I plan to check out, but any additional tips along with distro suggestions would be super helpful! Just to give you some context, my Linux knowledge is pretty basic—I only know about Ubuntu, Mint, and Arch, and I heard Ubuntu is pretty bloated.

Thanks a lot for any advice you can share!