So following https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Kernel_mode_setting#Forcing_modes_and_EDID if you switch into grub and stick "drm.edid_firmware=edid/1024x768.bin" on the kernel command line things are a lot more usable. So basically the issue that the monitor being presented to the kernel by the ism firware is too high resolution for our purposes. I wonder if d-i looks better because it forces a video mode? I don't know much about how d-i boots, unfortunately.
So following https:/ /wiki.archlinux .org/title/ Kernel_ mode_setting# Forcing_ modes_and_ EDID if you switch into grub and stick "drm.edid_ firmware= edid/1024x768. bin" on the kernel command line things are a lot more usable. So basically the issue that the monitor being presented to the kernel by the ism firware is too high resolution for our purposes. I wonder if d-i looks better because it forces a video mode? I don't know much about how d-i boots, unfortunately.