Did you read the page you linked to? You can still run unsigned code. You have to review it in the system settings, but you’re not blocked from doing it. I’m doing it right now on the latest version of Sequoia…

Use a different desktop environment

Uninstall OS components that I don't need for a lighter weight system

Valid, but these are things the vast (and I mean >98% VAST) amount of general computer users are not capable of understanding and should not attempt regardless.

Be absolutely certain that Apple isn't spying on me instead of just stopping Facebook from tracking me and then doing it themselves instead

If you care about privacy on any OS, you should be using a local firewall—something you can do on macOS. I use Little Snitch, which absolutely can block traffic to Apple’s domains.

Run 32-bit apps after Apple ended support for them

This is the single most annoying thing about macOS. I’ll give you that. However, that being said, I haven’t actually run into an issue with it in the last two years.

Play video games (the MacOS version of Steam is a joke and everyone knows it)

Similar to others have said, I daily drive my MacBook for basically everything except playing games. I do still play Minecraft, or any (usually smaller) games that I can install on my MacBook natively, but I play most games on my desktop PC—in fact that’s about all I use it for these days. Funny enough, that hasn’t changed since years ago when I used Linux Mint on my laptop and Windows on my PC.

Take my laptop or desktop to a repair service that isn't sanctioned by Apple, or (horror of horrors!) replace the components inside it myself

I work at a small, locally owned, computer shop. We order Mac parts and install them all the time. I’m literally doing a MacBook Air screen replacement tomorrow morning, and we’re not AASP. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

[–] AVincentInSpace@pawb.social -1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

these are things the vast (and I mean >98% VAST) amount of general computer users are not capable of understanding and should not attempt regardless.

That's the problem, isn't it? It's actually fine that you can't do this, because the average user is too stupid to be able to do it safely. That's the Apple ethos. That's their justification for disallowing sideloading on iOS, however flimsy it may be. I don't care that my grandma doesn't know what doing this would mean. I'm not my grandma, dammit. I own the computer, let me do whatever I want with it!

I use Little Snitch, which absolutely can block traffic to Apple’s domains.

That's another thing I should've added to my list: find basic system utilities, like a drive cleaner, firewall, or alternative terminal emulator, that aren't paid products.

I work at a small, locally owned, computer shop. We order Mac parts and install them all the time. I’m literally doing a MacBook Air screen replacement tomorrow morning, and we’re not AASP. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Has Apple finally pulled their head out of their ass and removed parts pairing? This is great news!

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 2 points 1 week ago

It's actually fine that you can't do this, because the average user is too stupid to be able to do it safely

Yeah, this is what I hate about Apple second most, right after their marketing and competition strategies.

But to be fair, it makes sense: they don't want to satisfy everyone, only just enough to crush competitors, and if you (and I) don't fit it's your (and my) fault.