There are distros of Linux that are already easier to use than Windows. Besides, you’d be very surprised how many things you probably deal with on a regular basis that are based on Linux. Tivo and many wireless routers, for instance.
When I get a new printer, to use it in Windows, I have to install a bunch of bloatware crap that slows down the system, or I can’t use half the features. With Linux, I just have to plug it in and it works. Same with digital cameras and scanners.
For a user like me, I have to edit configuration files, because I have things like multiple monitors, but for the average user, just install Linux Mint and it’ll work out of the box. Everything installed for you. Flash, Realplayer, Office, etc. Want something that isn’t installed? New programs are available at the touch of a button (an app store if you will) and it’s all free. Want to run Windows programs? You can use Crossover Office to run them natively with a pretty interface and no config files to edit. That costs money and doesn’t work for everything. Or you can install your copy of Windows XP inside Linux for nothing. There’s even a ‘seamless mode’ that makes Windows behave as if the applications you are running are native to Linux.
Now, me personally, I like the command line and I wish everything was as easy as manually editing a configuration file all the time. Frankly, I’m constantly griping about how annoying it is to have to do things on the various Windows machines throughout the house.
Your description of windows only applies to XP. Now everything from printers to whatever is plug and play with Vista and 7.
What you describe would be the same thing as me saying that with Linux you have to do a rebuild whenever you want to install new hardware. The newer distros have pretty much eliminated that. So it is the same with Windows.