Should I switch from Linux Mint to Arch, or choose an easier alternative?

Before choosing a distribution, list what you actually need: gaming, customization, stability, easy maintenance, or learning. Mint is already a capable option. CachyOS is a more accessible Arch-like choice, while Bazzite, Nobara, NixOS, or other immutable systems may fit different priorities. There isn’t one universally best distribution.

If your main motivation is curiosity, there’s nothing wrong with trying Arch. Just remember that it generally requires more hands-on maintenance, including reading update notices and occasionally resolving package or configuration changes. Distro-hopping shouldn’t replace learning the fundamentals, though.

For gaming, Arch-based systems work well, particularly with AMD graphics and Steam. If you mainly want something easy and dependable, reinstalling Mint may be the least frustrating option. Changing os-release manually can cause problems, so a clean reinstall is probably safer than trying to repair that installation.

Try Arch in a virtual machine first and intentionally break it a few times. That lets you learn installation, boot configuration, package management, and recovery without risking your main system. You can also keep Mint installed while testing and switch gradually.

Arch is manageable if you’re willing to research problems, use the terminal, and take responsibility for configuring the system. If you want an easier starting point with an Arch base, CachyOS or EndeavourOS may be a better transition.