For anyone pondering a switch from Windows to Linux, it is always best to do your homework and understand what you are getting in to and have your expectations set accordingly. First and foremost, Linux is not Windows. If the reason you want to give Linux a try is because you want a “free” version of Windows, you are going to be sadly disappointed.
Personally, I swapped completely from Windows to Linux about 2.5 years ago and used it exclusively for 1.5 years, but ultimately had to go back to Windows in order to run some business applications on my home computer. On this note, I found this “lessons learned” article provides a solid basis for anyone thinking of switching. While there are few points I would disagree with the author on, overall the information is very good.