Linux

Whether Arch-based distros are for beginners or not is the wrong framing imo (though it's a reasonable first approximation).

I would argue it depends on what kind of beginner they are and, almost more importantly, what community they can access for support.

I installed Arch Linux on my MacBook air back in 2014 or 2015, after less than 2 years using macOS and having only known windows XP and 7 before that. It ended up being the perfect distro for me to learn Linux, which includes having spent 2 entire days getting the system to boot on the "correct" OS with only the wiki and my own google-fu for aid. However I was enrolled in a computer engineering course at the time and had joined my school's computer club where 4 to 5 experienced Arch users were on-hand most days.

If a beginner is motivated and has a reliable source of aid then the problems they'll encounter using Arch can be the perfect learning environment. If they don't, then as you write it quickly turns into a dealbreaker.

But is this any different than what is happening here with a supposedly beginner friendly gaming distro?

I keep reading their documentation and wow oh wow! This is from their FAQ:

Is this another fringe Linux distribution?¶

Bazzite is not a Linux distribution in the traditional sense. Yes, it is a Linux operating system that is distributed for the public to use however it is a custom Fedora Atomic Desktop image with a recipe on top of it. Universal Blue images are a proof of concept of using containerized workflows with transactional and in-place operating system updates, and Bazzite exists by being gaming focused with inspiration from SteamOS. Bazzite is a Fedora Atomic Desktop installation, but with the aid of Universal Blue's tooling, adds packages, services, drivers, etc. to the base image of it. Bazzite is using a new "container-native" approach that Fedora has been testing, and we are taking full advantage of it. The team is utilizing the Open Container Initiative (OCI) to build the images, and are adding packages, services, and kernel modules to existing Fedora operating systems.

Unlike traditional Linux distributions, most of the maintenance and security updates are done upstream by Fedora and Universal Blue contributors while the primary Bazzite maintainers only have to focus on creating a great experience for an OS geared towards playing video games. Bazzite provides several images that all get the same additions and fixes through updates at the same time unless specified otherwise. There can be a hypothetical scenario where everyone involved with Bazzite could stop maintaining the project at once and it will still continue to receive updates directly from upstream until the scheduled builds are broken.

The purpose of Bazzite is to be Fedora Linux, but provide a great gaming experience out of the box while also being an alternative operating system for the Steam Deck and other handheld devices.

This screams beginner distro to me!

ok OP what model keyboard do you have? maybe I should have started with this.

my point i was trying to make is: these days if you want to use linux and game, just install a "normal" distro without fear of what you read online. 99% of the stuff about arch based distros (except for maybe arch itself, i don't have experience with pure arch) is simply fearmongering. stuff just works. Want to connect a mouse? Done. Keyboard? No problem. Same can be said about distros like mint and such. I wouldn't bother with ubuntu these days.

i keep seeing so many comments about stuff that breaks and doesn't work in linux but this is just not the case! unless you break it. in windows stuff would work, or not depending on how old the equipment was. there wasn't much you could do about it. in linux you have options provided you don't jump feet first into an immutable distro intended mostly for gaming.

my extra point is: ditch bazite and switch to a saner distro!

Wow