It may just be a pre-configured Debian in which case there will be nothing to convert or it may have several additional repositories in which case it will be easier to install the new one.
MyNameIsRichard
The only time I come close to that number of updates (300 - 350) is when KDE Applications and KDE is updated at the same time. I update twice a week.
I should have been clearer.
😆 I meant back to static release
Endeavour OS because once you go rolling you can never go back.
You should have basic maintenance knowledge like checking tyre pressure and the fluid levels in your car.
By doing it all for them, you are perpetuating the learned helplessness encouraged by Microsoft and Apple over the last few decades and doing them no favours at all.
Consider what they would do if you were unavailable to help them.
The best way to help a non-enthusiast Linux user is teach them basic system maintenance.
Another vote for Endeavour OS here
I think people can use what they want as their wallpaper
I did actual work on openSUSE Tumbleweed for nearly eight years. It was completely reliable. Now I do actual work on Endeavour OS and so far it has been completely reliable. It has far exceeded my expectations.
Again it depends on what those repositories do.
EndeavourOS (Arch based) adds a repository which appears to be for their utilities, otherwise they use the Arch repositories. You could probably continue using it with minimal disruption although the utilities would be unmaintained.
Manjaro (also Arch based) uses its own mirrors of the Arch repositories and adds some of its own. If it vanished, it would quickly become out of date and full of security holes. A new install would be necessary.
In either case, I'd do a clean install of Arch because why give yourself the headache.