A few thoughts.
1) Security
Systems that are inherently designed to restrict access are more secure than open systems such as Windows XP. Programs that are shared across systems such as Java are continue to be a major source of problems for all of us.
2) Portability of Data
If a software package ceases to be supported or develops it in a direction a user does not like (for example the classic word processing program Wordperfect is no longer available) or locks you into their hardware ecosystem as a user (Apple) you have a major problem. With Open Source this has not been an issue as the original software remains available and it can be updated (forked) by anyone who does not like the new version. Linux Mint is a fork of Ubuntu when a lot of users did not like the latest Ubuntu interface.
3) Hardware drivers
Linux drivers are available as free downloads from most, but not all, equipment manufacturers & from independent groups. Support for older equipment tends to be better in Linux than Windows as the Vendors only tend provide software support for current hardware and operating system
4) Licencing
For me by far and away the most important issue. I read the full MS licence when I purchased DOS version 2 many years ago and even back then you had no rights at all. You give the supplier hard earned cash and they permit you to run their software only how, where and when they allow, but entirely at your risk. Open Source Software allows you to do anything you want with the software except that you must allow anyone else to do the same to any software you develop that includes it.
5) Updates
Windows is a pain when updating, particularly when compared with Linux. I receive Linux updates every day or two which are installed entirely in the background. Very, very, occasionally there is an update to the Kernel of the system, which requires a reboot which I leave until I next shut the system down. It takes no additional time to install the Kernel update over a normal shut down and restart, so no time wasted while it shuts down or restarts
6) Media Support
DVD's play in Linux, but as there are issues relating to the licence it is not legal in all countries. I only play legal DVD's I own to ensure that I keep within the spirit of the Law, but it does allow you to copy them onto your system which is illegal in most places.
7) Future
Most Linux software is written by people employed by major companies to write Linux software - IBM, HP, Microsoft (!) etc. It already runs 99.9% of the world's super computers and through its Android derivative is the most used single consumer operating system in the world. Much, if not most, of the internet companies use it so its going to be around for a long time
I can strongly recommend Linux, unless you have some very specific software, eg Games playing, that can only be run on a particular operating system.
Cheers from a SLF