I had a similar revelation back in 2008. I'd bought a mac laptop a few
years previously because I wanted everything to just work, and I took it
on the road with me, for wireless connectivity, email, browsing in
motels, airports etc. In 2008, when hardy heron beta came out, I loaded
up an el cheapo laptop with ubuntu and took it on the road with me. It
worked really well. After a few trips I realized I hadn't needed my mac
at all. The ubuntu laptop was doing everything I needed to do, and it
was fun to use. I ended up selling my mac, since I didn't need it anymore.