I use it for work by choice, it’s fine. We can use Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Edge is basically a clone of Chrome but it integrates better with our MS account & applications and it seems to be better optimized for Windows 11.

Any newer Pi should be fine for a basic setup. I ran HA on a raspberry pi 3 B for years with no performance issues.

No way, I wouldn’t work for a manager I don’t trust.

Good choice with Mint, I think its the best distro for people transitioning from Windows.

Not normal.There was an issue with some 15 models having image retention that looked like burn-in but it turned out to be a software issue. If you have the latest update and still seeing burn in I would go to apple for a return / exchange.

A bare keyboard attached to a screen, that I could plug my phone (possibly running Phosh) and use it as a hardware for a laptop experience

Back in the day there was a phone called motorola atrix 4g, they made a lapdock for it that let you do this. There was also 3d party company that made lapdocks for modern Samsung phones that support Dex, but I’m not sure if they’re still aournd.