Windows 11 inherently does not support my CPU because of their fake secure boot requirement. You have to have UEFI.

I've had way more plug-and-play success with USB-serial devices under Linux than Windows. Maybe just me though...

I've had zero issues with any of my plug and play usb devices. Elgato key light, stream deck, fiio DAC, scarlet solo audio interface, Logitech Webcam, steel series arctis usb headset, etc. All work great without any faffing about.

For stream desk and keylight you aren't using elgato's software but there are pretty good open source options I installed from the graphical package manager in my OS. The audio stuff just all worked when plugged in. I'm missing zero functionality from windows and spent a lot less time "setting up" everything compared to windows.

I would probably rephrase it as "external plug 'n' play devices supporting Windows". You can be fairly certain Microsoft wasn't the one doing the work.

Even with x86 only, Linux supports more CPUs. For example, the Ryzen 5 1500x in my old PC isn't supported by Windows 11.