Hardware support was another improvement. This was mainly seen in the X configuration. It's exciting to see how much easier it has become to configure hardware during a default installation under Linux. This is untrue for Linux's main competitor OS, which still needs a vide driver loaded after rebooting 12 or more times. I also found that the applications under Red Hat were quite current.
Currency is a problem with some distributions.
Updated software is a major concern for me, especially since I work and live on the Internet, and security is a must. Plus, Linux moves fast. Software is updated on a monthly, if not daily basis. If the software is not current, it's like taking a step back. Fortunately, Red Hat offers a big leap forward.