I am glad that you are at peace with your workstations now, but just for updates on current situation in Linux Desktop world:

1. Mostly the same, but now you can just turn switchable graphics off, so to only use Nvidia.
2. Now we can use stable pipewire which is 3x times better
3. Have not seen a delayed arch update problem in a while.
4. Now it’s fine. In Build steam browser still sucks tho, and turning hardware acceleration is an ass ton of problems even now.
5. Depending on your laptop and configs, some Linux oriented laptops can live for 15 hours on stock
6. It’s easy with Cups and HP drivers, even trou Wi-Fi
7. Now there are tools that can configure external monitor management. Also, Wayland is good with these types without configs
8. We still don’t have Microsoft Office
9. Flash works with emulators like Ruffles

Glad that Linux have noticeable progress in its lifespan