They are very difficult to break. Even if there is a problematic update that would normalny kill your install you can just roll back too the previous working version.
I'll parrot the others. I have a Windows PC issued by my employer. The only way to have some Linux is WSL. I use it to sync notes with server at home, python stuff, and w3m when I want to Google something without looking conspicuous in the office.
General Linux tools also help. I needed to make video half the speed - one liner ffmpeg solves it in a jiffy. On Windows I need to install some hive software.
If the goal is to have the most up to date bleeding edge software, but have it on a critical machine, consider immutable distro like Fedora Silverblue or OpenSuse Aeon. Especially the latter will be just days behind Arch, and if an update breaks something you just roll back and try updating again in a week.
I used Silverblue as my main work system and this saved me a few times.
I ordered one. First units should be shipped early December. Right now they seem to be some out - just few days ago you could order with 7-8 weeks delivery, now it's just 'notify when available'.
Per latest updates people should start getting their hands on first units early December. I have pre-ordered mine almost 3 months ago now and can't wait!
The problem with older machines is the web browsing, not the system itself. You could use a browser with Java script disabled but a lot of websites will refuse to work.
You have to sacrifice with browser functionality to improve performance.
I think the biggest benefit is for people that cannot code or are just learning. Before a python script to do X or Y was a real problem. Now it is easy.
Plus it may help with Linux adoption - LLM can describe few commands in terminal plus some text config easily, but will struggle with Windows-like graphical configuration.
Starlabs StarLite is just around the corner, they should be shipping first units very soon. Passively cooled, Intel N200, 16GB RAM, 3k screen.