As someone who helped friends/family build PC gaming rigs multiple times last year (2023) I understand what you’re coming from W11 installer is pure dogshit.

Tbh tho, my dad always hated new Windows versions because he didn’t want to learn a new UI/UX, which I fine, but the windows experience isnt that hard to learn, even if it is different. Same thing with Linux, if you use GNOME/KDE/i3/hyprland/sway/<insert any DE/WM here> for the first time it won’t be easy to find all of the settings either.

But the W11 installer in particular sucks ass. There is so many restrictions that try to prevent you from even installing it. The one rescue for me was downloading the Rufus USB ISO tool and letting it download the W11 installer itself and apply patches which removed all the ridiculous restrictions.

I mean, you can even rub that shit in Virtual box if you want. My GF is literally running it on “unsupported hardware” according to Microsoft but windows updates and everything post-install is completely functional.

Only reason Mictorsoft Philips wants the restrictions is to have a tighter grip on the ecosystem and limit end consumers from installing it themselves and pushing that part to other companies or retailers which they can buy finished products (laptops etc) from instead of licenses.

I’m not super into the whole sphere here. But as you mentioned the Pi I thought I might chime in. I just ordered a Pi 5, 8GB RAM and 2-3x effective speed of the Pi 4.

I’d youre looking for more powerful hardware in this format the Rockx 5 and Orange Pi 5 are alternatives that go up to 16GB RAM.

The second I close my eyes in the shower I am immediately having 5 different arguments or ideas and when I open them 10 minutes have passed