I run two different RPM distro machines. Took me less than forty minutes to install on each (my internet is slow), and one of them is an eight-year-old laptop with an i3 and 8 gigs of memory. All runs fine, had issues with the Bluetooth antenna on one (just drivers).
I had to help a family member set up a W11 laptop, took hours (pre-installed) to sift through all the bullshit settings to make it even function without disrupting every session or literally spying on them.
So, I dunno, maybe you pissed off some witch and got cursed, seems like a pretty exceptional experience you had.
Yeah Bazzite is irritatingly restrictive, Fedora or Cachy are honestly worth the little extra effort it takes.