We are talking two entirely different Linux PCs. The one I use now is an HP that I wiped Windows 10 and put a more recent build of Linux onto, with Cinnamon and a skeuo theme. It works fine. The other is an old Toshiba that hardly ever gets use other than to play DOS games or browse forums.
Either way, I don't believe in updates after iOS 7 and Yosemite happened. I prefer to just enjoy my tech without being nagged or having my cheese moved or my UI flattened. Updates are the first thing I turn off.