That sounds good, I’ve seen guides for Virtual Box Utilisation before.
I would have probably bought a laptop first anyway, I’m wondering though why you believe it’s more important to buy a phone first, is there any important reasoning?
Depending on the task if its basic like word processing, PDF processing etc. you can get away with a Pixel 8 and above with GrapheneOS.
For more demanding/non-compatible task yeah a laptop makes sense and maybe depending on the task you could get away with using Linux.
Yes, was thinking about getting one of those Debian Forks if not just Debian itself as soon as I got my Laptop.
This is helpful. Windows seems fine here if the primary usecase is to separate school Google account and personal work. You can simply use separate browsers for signing into account (or browser profiles, though that requires not mixing up profiles). You can limit what Google collects through their privacy toggles (and the workspace accounts schools use is almost always preconfigured for better privacy and exempted from usual data collection shenanigans). Limit permissions granted to applications you use.
The slightly harder way would be to create separate windows users for school and personal, and use a VPN on personal profile.
Slightly harder than that would be to dual boot with Linux on one, and windows for school on another.
Finally, the hardest might be to install Linux and use windows in a VM.
If you go with the first 3 options, using windows default permissions to limit data collection and/or using debloat scripts should be fine too.
Because you seem to be a beginner, Linux is hard for someone new (because new things are difficult, not because Linux is inherently hard). Surface laptops also require special work to ensure Linux works well last I checked, plus it would make some features of the device unusable. It is also hard to work, co-operate, and socialize in school if everyone uses some software that just won’t run or is finicky on Linux.
That first is COMPLETELY Untrue
If it was like say 7 years ago or something I would’ve agreed but not anymore with things like Mint and Zorin (if it was for gaming I would say Bazzite and CachyOS but since it’s not I’m excluding them) existing
With that said I have to agree the last one as a beginner, it can be a bit of a workaround to get a surface laptop working for Linux
But I do highly encourage to grab your USB Flash drive, get your distro of choice which in this case pick between mint and Zorin and try out everything in the live boot environment, check all settings as a first to determine if everything works, try some basic things like watching YouTube, browsing the web, using file manager etc. and if it all works you should be a-okay, if something starts to break, that’s fine, shut down and you can stick to windows, preferably with something like O&O ShutUp10++ if you may
I don’t really mind. I wanted to get Linux anyway. I’ve wanted it for a while but I’ve had a mac for ages. I was going to get Linux as soon as I get this Laptop. This is all helpful. But trust me I’m going to get rid of Windows as fast as possible.
According to this site, Fedora is the best for beginners. If Linux doesn’t work, I will probably return the Surface and get a Lenovo. I 100% won’t be sticking to Windows no matter what.
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I also suggest you look at Framework or System76 for your desktop Linux hardware needs. They are a great option too.
just because what we recommend is not on the site does not mean it is for or against, if you are a complete beginner I still recommend you start with Zorin or Mint
but it is up to you on this then
Did you read this part:
I am not sure why you use ideas like “COMPLETELY Untrue” when complexity is subjective (sailing is hard for a beginner and second nature to ones who have done it for a while) and scales with familiarity. xkcd does address this: xkcd: Average Familiarity
I prefer to not be addressed using popular shenanigans like “EXAGGERATED ADVERB objective truth” since I do not think this is YouTube or platform of its ilk where flashy actions are required for attention.
As someone who exclusively uses Linux, and has transitioned their entire family to it (including elders and children), it is hard for anyone who has not used it before and is set in the way. It requires buy in from them to get people to put effort to relearn how to do their old jobs using new tools. Please refrain for implying objective truths exist in a subjective domain with exaggerated emphasis.
Got it. I did not assume that. It is nice that you are willing to put in effort to use Linux instead of resorting to the defaults.
I would recommend using something mainstream (Fedora, Ubuntu) and not something that is too specific (Bazzite, Zorin, etc.) mainly because of the larger community and information available around on the interwebs. I would also recommend against trying to use something that looks like windows, because (this is a personal opinion developed after helping people move to Linux) it is often easier to learn an entire new interface from scratch than try to use a poor imitation and get frustrated when the imitation deviated from developed muscle memory. So Linux mint is something I move people away from.
The defaults in fedora and ubuntu are fine, but I would favor Ubuntu if you have nvidia since default Fedora does not ship its drivers. If no nvidia, fedora is my favourite distro. Arch wiki tells me webcam might give some issues, so you can look for help here: GitHub - linux-surface/linux-surface: Linux Kernel for Surface Devices
I also lean towards using Flatpaks (a packaging format, think of it being similar to .exe or .dmg files in windows and macOS) over package manager provided applications (this is what you usually install when using apt get or dnf install command on terminal), but some applications are hard to get working as flatpaks. Ubuntu uses Snaps instead of flatpaks, which have similar benefits (Sandboxing of applications). Ubuntu also benefits from their own team packaging many applications as snaps, so there are most mainstream applications available on their app store (Discord, Teams, Spotify, etc.).
If you want fedora with things already setup, ublue ships nice images of fedora with things already installed (but this faces the same issue of mainstream vs niche distro).
If you wish to go to extreme lengths, secureblue is a hardened but usable image created using fedora.
Both of the above might be hard to use because they use something called immutable images which are different from usual Linux (you cannot modify base system files). It can be viable if all software you wish to use is available as flatpaks, or if you are willing to put in effort to learn podman or distrobox.
My final recommendation would be to start with ubuntu and then distro hop as you get your sea legs (phrase means “to gain experience”). Distro hopping (switching between distros) is what I do when I get tired of books and hobbies.
If you are looking for laptop recommendations, ThinkPad x9 14 might be my next purchase due to build quality, good keyboard, haptic touchpad, OLED screen, light weight, and good battery life with all parts working on Linux. But I do think surface is a nice laptop, albeit with problems running Linux as far as I can see from internet discussions.
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Well I guess OP found their answer and I will not disagree on anything else just the fact that you keep harping that Linux is hard because it’s something new is what I cannot accept and if you’re gonna recommend a distro do not make them start with Ubuntu, it is not worth it when Mint and Zorin exist and make modifications that are designed for a beginner, maybe make your research before assuming
Both are based on Ubuntu and especially on mint there are vast community solutions for problems too. Zorin is good at if you are used to the windows flow, downloading installer exes and running them for one
@user55 use Mint or Zorin NOT UBUNTU, If you use any of the recommendations from Privacy Guides that’s also fine, but at least do yourself a favor to avoid the pain if you’re choosing Ubuntu and instead choose either of the 2, we can evaluate what’s best in DMs or here for either of the 2 unless you pick the PG recommended ones
Thank you, you’ve been of help. I will dm you once the laptop comes my way, I can tell you’re active so I know where to find you. 
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