After 2y on Linux I can say with full confidence that switching from GNOME to KDE (for me) is a bigger barrier than switching from Windows to Linux ever was.
I’ve tried a lot to like KDE but I just can’t. I usually see people discussing distros but I feel like picking the right DE makes much bigger impact. I’m yet to try Hyprland though.
Considering the fact that I’m itching to get Steam Frame and VR on GNOME will likely be broken indefinitely, idk what to do.
Not sure what the Frame means with any of this. It’s going to be running the same stack as Deck, which is KDE. It’s also not going to be any sort of headset for your PC, at least at the outset.
As for your other Dr questions, it’s all just personal preference. The Desktop is just window dressing on a compositor and window manager anymore. If you’re comfortable without all the system helpers and convenience of using either Gnome or KDE, you can just run a WM like Hyprland or Sway instead.