Linux has a lot of hardware problems, so the safest choice is always to do like the time I had a Hackintosh: buy hardware you already know it’s compatible.

But regarding making Linux easy for the average consumer, I don’t think it will ever be. The incentive just isn’t there. Even though some distros try to simplify things, there’s too many layers and different configs where problems can happen and not enough resources to handhold users through all the steps. Apple can only polish their operating system because they sell very expensive computers, so they actually make a profit from the average consumer.

In the end, it’s all about money and incentives, Linux philosophy was never to make things easy for the non computer savvy person. It could change, absolutely, with enough money, research, hardwork (most likely voluntary, which is scarce) and collaboration with other areas, such as good designers and UX people.