Switching to Linux

Have any of you who are NOT pros at computer use switched to Linux?

What were your experiences?

I'm thinking of switching to Linux on my next computer, and curious to hear how well it is working for you. Although I learned some unix commands as a student at MIT, I haven't used that knowledge in 6 years and really would prefer a well-designed GUI.

I'm particularly curious about cheap practical software availability, and about the ability to synchronize with smartphones.

Smartphone and Macs and Linux

On a similar note, any strong opinions about how well specific smartphones sync with Macs, or with Linux? I'd like to be able to purchase or legally download a wide variety of affordable practical applications, and synchronize my mail, calendar, to do list, and possibly other materials as well.

I feel that since Palm is abandoning the OS I ought to explore other options such as Blackberry and Windows Mobile.

Note that I don't really see the iPhone as being for me at this point.