All the Linux distributions (including Ubuntu and all its
derivatives) that I tried except for Sabayon linux have decent hardware
requirements.

Unfortunately, even here in Romania many people blame the
hardware when there are problems, in fact, with the OS. Some even throw
away the computers or bring them to be serviced due to this reason.
Waste of money and materials !

One of my colleagues said he had "problems with the hard disk", although it
was only a crashed Windows installation.

Linux lasts on PCs until one gets fed up with it and installs
another Linux (my case) or until they throw away the hard disk.