Even if my disk crashes I can set up a fully configured and working Debian with all most needed software, repos downloaded and ready to do real work in one hour flat.
I can do this with Arch Linux. I can't imagine what you could've had so much trouble with.
OP here. That 2 hour estimate is for people who have never done an Arch install. I think 1 hour is reasonable for someone who's done it a few times to go from nothing to a fully working system.
That said, I won't argue that it's still a good bit more work than setting up other distros.
I can do this with Arch Linux. I can't imagine what you could've had so much trouble with.