If your hardware has good Linux drivers and if the software you need has a Linux version then IMO you can find a distribution that will match your needs. Arch could be great for some people but an LTS will be more popular with other people. For example in my case I use Intellij for work and it comes in a tar.gz file format that I can use and I can keep the old version around when updating. The only time I compiled things was when I modified stuff to add my own changes to open source software.
If you are gaming I think you should still use Windows or a console, even some will claim Proton works with most games the experience can be frustrating with many of the games that are claimed to work.
> but it comes across as an ignorant comment given the well-known economics
What the fuck does economics have to do with it?
> and especially in the context of a conversation about someone who is unwilling to contribute or at least build their own software.
I do both of those things. Your condescending conclusion otherwise is emblematic of my problems with Linux Desktop as a community.