For the kind of workload you're describing, 16GB of RAM was on the low end like 5 years ago. Your number one priority should be getting more RAM. For what you're doing vmware is at least better than HyperV, and depending on what people are doing with their machines there can be pros and cons favoring Windows, linux, OSX, ... in your case Windows is factually the worst choice. When working as a developer with linux native technologies, use linux. If you insist on your kids playing with your work machine (interesting choice), and they "need" Windows, then dual boot. Other than that I'd second another users advice to go with fedora (easy to use, up to date, no bullshit). But do yourself a favor, go bare metal, and get more RAM.