If I want to maintain my Windows computer, do I need a new computer?
You can install Linux alongside Windows if you have the disk space to spare (a whole separate ssd/hard drive, a free disk partition on your existing drive, or you can split an existing Windows partition).
For experimenting, you can also use a virtual machine (like VirtualBox). Note that you might not get the best possible performance this way. Most Linux distros also have live systems, which means you can boot them from USB stick and use them before you actually install them.
If I was already looking for a laptop, do I just buy the cheapest one and reformat?
Don’t waste money on the cheap junk - just get a used laptop!
You can install Linux alongside Windows if you have the disk space to spare (a whole separate ssd/hard drive, a free disk partition on your existing drive, or you can split an existing Windows partition).
For experimenting, you can also use a virtual machine (like VirtualBox). Note that you might not get the best possible performance this way. Most Linux distros also have live systems, which means you can boot them from USB stick and use them before you actually install them.
Don’t waste money on the cheap junk - just get a used laptop!
Haven’t tried. Probably!