Linux in the time of coronavirus

Post date: 2020-07-09 12:31:20

Is Linux all one needs these days for video conferencing and online learning?

Because of the coronavirus I'm thinking about getting a laptop for the expressed purpose of being able to take part in video conferencing and miscellaneous continuing education online classes. It will supplement a not very powerful small-form PC from 2013 that I have a now obsolete debian-based distro running on. I love Linux for both practical and philosphical reasons and I also love simplicity, so would prefer to just put some flavor of Linux on the new laptop and be done with it. My impression is that which OS one uses matters much less today than a decade ago because more and more software is cross platform, and also because the browser has replaced installed software to a great degree. But would a Linux system truly be all I need to participate in the new quarantine-style video conferencing and remote learning lifestyle? Or should I swallow the bitter pill of planning to dual-boot with Windows?

I've never used skype or zoom or anything else of the sort, so you have my permission to speak to me like a 5-year old in such regard.

Recommendations about a good model of laptop to get (~$800 max, & the less the better) for this specific purpose, and also about a distribution of Linux that would be particularly good for the same are also welcome!

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