I started my career as a technical support engineer. I then started homelabbing and learning Infrastructure Engineering and Operations. But soon I realized this is all boring(it is not a creative profession at all. You get some adrenaline rush solving simple but critical issues on production but that is about it. No creativity is required.). I am looking to enter backend developer route as a Java Dev. But I already have 2.5 years of technical support engineer experience. How can I plan the switch?

I have been learning Java basics and oops since 1+ year ago(without thinking of being a java developer in mind, just wanted to boost my programming skills). Now I am torn between two paths.

Learn devops/modern sysadmin

OR

Learn development with spring boot(It is the widely used technology here in country).

I need to invest in a new computer if I were to learn intermediate devops which will cost me 600 bucks. I feel like it is a pure waste of money without having a job to do that.

But I do not need anything to learn spring boot development.

I am currently free whole day. What path should I seek that would give me higher ROI in the long run?