Then again, using Linux has no obvious advantage anymore, as you don't "own" most software you're running anyway.

Being able to trust your OS is an incredible advantage.

Too bad then that desktop Linux is so easy to pwn.

Obtuse gotcha. Trust and security are two different things. And Linux is as secure as anything else against physical attack.

edit: local, not remote attack

When you write, "physical attack", what do you mean? Laptop theft?