Most people don’t know how to install operating system, even if it’s just pressing next in the installer mostly. The reason Linux is not primary system is that it’s not preinstalled. It has a bit of chicken and egg problem with some support missing due to low user base, and base lowered by that soft missing but that would change in the instant if everybody suddenly bought PC with linux preinstalled.
Even the win mentioned with linux in gaming is basically just that. Linux preinstalled on steam deck.
I never put protection on my screen devices. One of those guys that never damaged a phone in my life. Had no problems with deck.
By that I mean, that depends on you and your track record. My wife would kill any mobile without a protective case in a month :p