comments:
Finally, a chance to pass on this recommendation: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NT49MJ Pepper Jobs GYRO air mouse remote controller designed for Windows 10/11 OS1 It has controls on the front and a full keyboard on the back. I got one after seeing it mentioned in a comment last year. It's a little bit fiddly to use (it works more like a Wii controller than a traditional remote to move the cursor around), but now I much prefer it to the mouse I was using before.
Just throwing it out there but this remote has been my go to for using a PC on my TV. It has a backlit keyboard and really solid gyro mouse that feels just like using a Wii remote. Despite being "for windows" almost all functions map just fine on Linux as well. GNOME works surprisingly well on a TV with a few extensions and as you say a full desktop interface on a big screen is just superior to any TV/media box interface.
https://a.co/d/0ikmUsmw