the Steam Deck production OS is built on Arch.

The problem with Arch is that it’s too minimal for someone who comes with an expectation that everything “just works”.

It’s installer is as easy to use as the other shit you recommended if you can fucking read and follow directions, but skips the unnecessary installer UIs that hand-hold (which requires just as much reading and direction following, difference is the others have a toddler-appealing colorful UI).

Most people who use computers today started using GUI software as their first contact with computer tech in general. Hand-holding is customer service, some people need to be guided through the process, and having something that looks like it should work even if you don’t know what you’re doing helps.

If old MAGA Boomers can handle text terminal DOS installs with floppy disks, a contepmorary dumbfuck Windows user will be fine too.

On the one hand, take 10 randos who have never seen anything but Windows, and give half an Arch installer, the other half eg. Fedora. Take a guess which half will fare better.

On the other hand, Linux and OSS in general is about choice. Not just your choice, but the choice of “dumbfuck Windows users” as well. If you like Arch, go for it, but most people find it hard to cope with after coming over from commercial interfaces. You do Arch, they do Linux Mint if they feel like it.