Linux could crash if you mounted an HDD that wasn’t shut down properly. Windows ‘bloat’ would automatically fix the drive before mounting.
Nobody is going to notice a difference of 2-3fps in games when they’re above 60fps.
Wayland isn’t small because it’s ‘more efficient code’. It’s still in heavy development even after 16 years. (Give it time). Many of us consider it to still be Alpha software and not an upgrade to x11 but an alternative.
Still booting from HDD? - Try starting the computer and grabbing a cup of coffee or make your bed. Boot up time is trivial, and nothing to brag about when you’re sacrificing reliability and compatibility.
That’s a poor manufacturer’s decision if McAfee is pre-installed. In about 30 years I’ve never gotten a virus accidentally (did purposely as an exercise), unless McAfee counts (which it should since it was far worse than the virus was).