This is for sure, the latest versions of Ubuntu are shockingly simple to install on even the latest hardware, and fully compatible out of the box. It has come a long way as you say.

Something I've noticed between the same machine doing similar graphic tasks, limited to the same work rate (30fps) in Windows and Linux, is the difference in power consumption; it looks and sounds an awful lot less on Linux, than it does on Windows.

Also on idle, we hardly ever hear a murmur of activity in Linux, whereas the same machine with Windows in idle will regularly rev up to 90% loading, to do mysterious activities for many minutes at a time.

I haven't taken measurements to confirm, but estiimating the difference, judging by fan speeds, and knowing the die temperatures in both cases are being controlled at similar levels, the Linux case consumes at least 50% less power, more likely 25%, or even less.

Imagine the power savings that would be made in the world, if everyone suddenly went to Linux. Such a thing would probably cause havoc with energy companies who assume a certain demand, in order to estimate future profits.