im currently using windows 11 on msi gf63 laptop. if i used linux i would use ubuntu,bec it seems like the easiest thing.
i game,i use brave browser,i pirate games and software. i also like that my hoarded pirated binaries of games and software will work even years later on windows without too much effort.
i use an hp printer,and need to be able to use it on linux.
i expect to be able to use the laptop and not think about the os too much,meaning i wont distro hop or try to customize it too much. im fine with the terminal,my goal of using linux is being far from malware.
As a first step, see if you can get by by just using FOSS software on Windows. If you can, then you will lose nothing, swapping your “app launcher” is inconsequential if the programs you use are the same.
Wine/Proton are very good when it comes to game support, so you should be alright there. You can always check protondb and winehq to confirm the support status of the game you want.
I recommend a boring and stable distro like LinuxMint. It is based on Ubuntu but even better imho.
This is most important, if OP isn’t using any ‘enterprise’ apps, they should be able to function on FOSS, wine or proton apps.