Nuuskis9

I've watched 4K Youtube on that cpu without issues.

If possible, buy an old Thinkpad for 50-100 bucks and install on a real hardware for the best experience.

I have no experience with any Mac hardware, but Virtualbox has improved a lot during the years. It won't have accelerated graphics, but still fast and responsive.

I have 4 icons displaying the current amount of volume with white background and for mute I use red background. It was super easy to set in the config file even I don't speak C++.

Salvete iuvenes! Quid patriam Latinae loqui?

For volume control, I use Wireplumber:

• To raise the volume bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 1%+
• To lower the volume bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 1%-
• To mute/unmute the volume bindsym XF86AudioMute exec wpctl set-mute @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ toggle
• To mute/unmute the microphone bindsym XF86AudioMicMute exec wpctl set-mute @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SOURCE@ toggle

For icon I have configured the swaybar. I don't use notifications, thus they're simple to set for bindsym (above) if needed.

• built with electron

Didn't you read the ToS? Those words are considered as hate speech in every Linux communities.

Try Neomutt.

Debian base with Sway.

I have no clue. I bet Ubuntu just ships with more processes running. Stsrting from booy and continuing during the use.

"Regular" Mint = Ubuntu backend (Nvidia support) Mint Debian = More lightweight, but only Cinnamon and bad option for Nvidia gpu

I recommend that you install Linux on the laptop alone! Linux will work on that hdd, but will be slower. If you can, buy an used ssd for it. 256 GB should be enough for a lot. That 1 TB hdd could serve you as a backup disk.

I also recommend to overhaul your laptop. Remove the dust with compressed air and reolace thermal paste (should be done every 2-3 years anyway).

I don't know what this 'gallium' is. But your computer has a powerful x86 cpu, so any regular distro will work just fine.

Becuse it is your first distro, it should be something well documented (large user base) and stable.

I recommend you to format your biggest usb stick with Ventoy2Disk and it'll be the last time you'll ever format.

With Ventoy you can try any distro in Live mode without installing anything in your computer before you're found your favorite.

Try at least Pop_OS! and LMDE5 (LMDE6 is released within a few weeks) over regular Mint and here's why: https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=374128

Do you have a gpu in your pcie slot or do you use integrated gpu?

Because you have a desktop, I'd recommend to use 2 separate disks. Because if you manage to break the Linux system (it might happen if you heavily tinker/customize your Linux and manage do some mistake) then you can just re-install the Linux and start again.

If you have 2 storage drivers, then unplug the Windows drive when you (put tape and write Windows onto it) are installing the Linux. Then the computer will manage the partitioning automatically, so less work for you.

Don't fear the tinkering/customizing. That's one big joy in Linux, lol. Remember to backup at least your personal files.