Originally Posted by killerv
yes, its that simple. Or you can just download a distribution of linux live and put it on a thumbdrive yourself.


This. If you use Linux live, you can install the linux image from an .iso file. To install, download the linux .iso image file to your PC and then follow Linux Live instructions when you start it. This is free and you don't need to pay for anything other than a USB storage stick.

Just know that if secure UEFI boot is turned on and you don't know the password, you won't be able to boot from a Linux Live image.