I feel like a Linux desktop requires too much tinkering.
That is true, but some people just like to tinker.
Overall I love Linux. I love it in an environment where it’s directly supporting me and my hardware. I simply do not get that with my common gaming desktop.
That is somewhat the beauty of it. I don’t game, I just go to work and go home, so I have some free time to tinker and share what I have done/found/made.