what's the best way to get started with a desktop (laptop) linux?

It's somewhat typical these days for linux distributions to offer a live cd/usb image that you can use to boot into the OS before installing it. I'd recommend trying a few distributions like that to figure out basic things like if you prefer KDE, Gnome, or some other desktop environment.

When you find something that you do want to install, consider using a custom partition scheme so that you can have /home on its own partition. This will let you install a different distribution later without overwriting your own data (I still suggest making a backup first though). Often installers will give you an option to use a separate partition for /home without having to manually partition everything.

Finally, If you go down the path of buying a new laptops take a look at Framework laptops since they work well with your typical linux distros and offer official support for both Ubuntu and Fedora. They're pretty focused on making their laptops easily repairable by anyone, but their prices are somewhat high for the hardware specs you get.

I use Pop_OS with my FW13 and I've been pretty happy with it. It's based on Debian but focused on desktop use so the packages will be relatively up to date, but if not you can follow most Debian guides to setup whatever you need. I personally went with that because their desktop environment (modified Gnome) lets you have both regular floating windows and tiling windows.

I bought my Lenovo Legion a few months back, and the plan all along was to nuke Windows and install Linux Mint on it. Worked like a charm as Mint has done for me for the past 10 years or so.

No compatibility issues, but I chose to install a better wifi driver, but it worked OKish before that too (it was just a bit too slow for my taste).

The Lenovo hotkeys for controlling cooling schema and keyboard lights worked out of the box.

I use Mint. I have a separate partition for my home drive than root and I think that makes it easier to try different distros, but the last time I suggested that to someone it turned out to be bad advice for them.

Obviously you can run live usbs.

i know some hardware but i'm not an EXPERT (with drivers and such)

You needn't be. 99% of everything comes with Linux itself, no matter the distro. I guess your machine doesn't have a(n nvidia) GPU, so no need to think about it. You should forget about fingerprint readers, and some special/niche stuff like audio producing gear or weird controllers you might have to look up if they are supported at all by the company, Linux itself, or a third party.

I'll put in the obligatory recommendation for Mint. It's just slick and does most you'd want, how you'd want. I hear Pop OS (by system76) is great for beginners too, if you are considering buying a laptop of theirs, or just want to try that one out for whatever reason.

i also have an hp envy; https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/compare/5818425?baseline=5818425 is it wise to get rid of windows and just install linux on it?

Yes, this is the preferred way as dual booting will lead to windows eventually messing up something on your Linux Partitions, and linux dosent need special hardware. However if you load up a USB stick with live images you can boot into Linux from the USB and test out the distros on your hardware to be sure it's working before installing.

I recommend the following

• backup your data on any disk connected to the PC you want to install on.
• install ventoy as it will allow you to make a multiboot USB that supports UEFI. Then all you need to do is load the USB with isos and boot into it either through your BIOS or a boot menu before windows starts.
• just incase, you can also try to clone your windows install with clonezilla so if you need it you can just load it back up.
• download any distributions you wish to test. The ones you listed are fine but i would also recommend an arch based distro like EndeavorOS
  • to try out distros without downloading, putting them on a USB and booting into them, you can try distrosea to try them in a browser.

I'm kinda curious myself, so I'm just trying to follow this post

Also check Framework laptops. They are modular and have firsthand Linux support. I haven't owned one, but I admire them.

A lot of people seem to love Arch, but I think that requires a lot of investment in reading docs. Mint seems to be a popular recommendation for beginners, but that appears to be downstream from Ubuntu. I wish I had more and better info for you, but I also use Linux for servers and not on the desktop. But only cause I'm an Apple guy. I'd daily-drive Linux if I had a PC.