Linux Mint 19.1: The better-than-ever Linux desktop

Mostly off-topic, but since the comments have < 10 posts, I will do my part to engage discussion until the superior comments arrive.

I want to have the Year of the Linux desktop on my primary machine. I haven't yet. I will admit to severe analysis paralysis that is keeping me on Windows 7.

After Windows 7 goes out of support, I have to leave Windows on my primary desktop behind. Windows 10 has made it clear that it wants me bent over a barrel and to submit to its will for ads, telemetry, etc. On top of that, MS force-feeds me beta updates for the businesses so I can be cannon fodder to any new plagues before it affects the businesses. I am not Microsoft's animal. I refuse to become it after my chosen (and still beloved next to Win2k) OS is out of date and no longer secure.

But! I don't know if I can go with Debian KDE (+ non-free), KDE NeonOS, Mint + Cinnamon, Mint + Xfce, Debian Xfce, Debian Lxde

I know I want 'I-cant-believe-its-not-Win2k-DE' and that some Linux distros have old versions of desktop environments like Kubuntu or old kernels, but I don't know which OS to pick and stick with (not wanting to get on the grand tour of Linux distros), so here I sit.

Eventually I will just have to pick one, but if I can minimize the combination of [losing MS OneNote 2010, SysInternals, RCT2, Visio, and NoteWiki (to name a few long-used rando Windows apps with few drop-dead obvious Linux equivalents)] and [removing the 3-month worn in shoe of A distribution for B distribution] I will be gratified.

/rant?

What a vapid article.

> Mint, as ever, out of the box is more secure than macOS or Windows ever dreamed of being. On my Mac and Windows boxes, I'm always tinkering with patches and security software. On Mint? It's a none issue. I have never had a single security problem.

OK then..

No screenshots?