Do you have any ideas why the difference in RAM usage is so stark and how I could further investigate?

Assuming this is a minimal install of Arch, that's kinda the point. Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if Asahi isn't fully optimized yet.

It has been my pleasure 😊.

Aight. Understood. Thank you!

In your case, I'd propose something like NixOS then. As your full system configuration can be contained within a (set of) config file(s), the very same ones you use to install/config stuff, a reinstall just becomes very easy. Heck, if you're willing to embrace the "Erase your darlings"-lifestyle, then I don't even think you'd ever feel the need for a reinstall. Because, frankly, the clean slate is just a reboot away.

EDIT: Perhaps Guix System is also worth considering as an alternative to NixOS*.

EDIT2: If you still want to explore other distros, then it's worth noting that nix, i.e. NixOS' package manager, is available on most distros and offers a lot of the benefits already. Like, you could configure your system using it, and then use that config on another distro to get your config back. Good stuff.

I frequently reinstall Linux.

Like, how many times in a year? And secondly, for what reason?

Thank you! Will try to look into it 🙂.

there is a lot of technical stuff thats cool about windows

Would you be so kind to tell more about this? Thank you in advance!

Can't we focus on why/how Linux rocks instead?

I'm not at all interested to be regarded as a Linux user just because "Windows is bad". It reminds me of all the ex-<insert religion/ideology>-crowd that somehow continues to identify themselves by their past affiliations. I don't think that's a healthy place to be in.

Boot time.

Could you please explain a little more on what X11 and wayland are?

Not the one you asked*.

But, to put it simply, there's a piece/suite of software that's actually responsible for displaying stuff. Even your Desktop Environment is contingent upon it. X11 and Wayland are the two most popular 'options' for that and (to be frank) the ones that are 'actually' in use. The former is the OG and was for the longest time pretty much your only option. But the latter has come a long way and is a superior option for most.

In the context of Cinnamon, its Wayland implementation is still relatively immature. Heck, only with its next release will it become non-experimental. But, even then, it is possible that switching will make a difference here.

How can I find out the information you are looking for?

Invoke echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE within a terminal. It will return whichever you're on.

OP, FYI: GPU passthrough isn't riskless (OpSec-wise), unfortunately. This Hacker News thread contains pointers if you'd wish to read up on that.

I'd argue they'd have to answer (or at least think about) what their goldilocks is in terms of the following axis:

• No defaults^[That is, being required to set everything up by yourself.] <--:--|--:--> Highly opinionated^[That is, simply enjoy what someone else has decided for you.]
• Convenience <--:--|--:--> Security
• Rolling release <--:--|--:--> Frozen packages/repository
• Means to an end^[That is, Linux/OS/distro itself ain't that interesting; I just need it for XYZ.] <--:--|--:--> End in itself^[That is, I want to engage with Linux/OS/distro itself.]