SSD: Best Buy (US electronics store) still had some SATA SSDs in stock, so I didn’t need an adapter. This is what I got: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-cs900-500gb-internal-ssd-sata/6385542.p?skuId=6385542

Take advantage of the fact that you can make Live USBs of the distros as you decide what you’re looking for.

For me, I found AntiX a little too barebones for me. But your mileage will vary.

I will have to give Mint another go sometime!