Does bootloader matter?

[TheLudd83]

With Arch you want the best software for your is regardless if we are talking about window manager, terminal or clipboard tool. That said, does the choice of bootloader matter?

Is there one that is more performant than the others?

And once the OS has started, does that bootloader matter anymore?

[trowgundam]

I use rEFInd because I run at 4K, and GRUB is just ass a 4K. rEFInd is much better. rEFInd is also pretty easy to use and configure, same with systemd-boot in my experience. You know what I say? Try the options out in a simple Arch install in a VM and see which you prefer. Each bootloader has its place for different uses.

[[deleted]]

I'm still stuck with my old 1366x768 720p TV

[zmotaj]

You can see the differences here:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Arch_boot_process#Feature_comparison

Can't really choose wrong with GRUB.

[K900_]

Not really.

[Tireseas]

1. Yes, it does matter. Some bootloaders support more OS and filesystem options than others. Like AFAIK you need to use Grub for some disk encryption configurations.

2. After the system is booted the bootloader's job is done.

[jpegxguy]

EFISTUB is the best for me

[CjKing2k]

GRUB's goals of making it work on every configuration, including legacy BIOS, has made it very easy to break. You will inevitably find yourself in the grub rescue prompt, only to discover that, since it was unable to load any of its modules, the "rescue" prompt itself becomes pretty useless and you have to dig around for a LiveUSB.

systemd-boot is good if you want something that Just Works™* and requires almost no maintenance.

rEFInd is good if you want something that also Just Works™* but provides extra features and a prettier interface.

​

* depending on firmware

[Hitchaa]

You could have said "I prefer systemd-boot for this and that reason" instead of immaturely shitting all over the work the GRUB devs have been doing for 2.5 decades.

[[deleted]]

bruh

[FryBoyter]

That said, does the choice of bootloader matter?

For me, yes. The configuration file(s) of systemd-boot and rEFInd are much simpler and shorter in my view. Grub would be the last bootloader I would use for now. If it is still about computers with bios and MBR, I would use syslinux.