flatbield

Distros. Pick something in the top 10 of https://distrowatch.com/ .

I use Debian or one of the derivatives of Debian.

I usually buy System76 laptops. Might look at a Framework one next go around. I like supporting the linux supply chain when I can. If money is the only concern, sure some repurposed thing is likely cheaper.

This is the answer. GrapheneOS still needs the binary blob updates from Google or probably more correctly Googles suppliers.

This is why I do not use a rolling release distro.