I'm certain that if you are really honest with yourself, you'll agree that the "malicious" practices you point out are entirely different - not even comparable - to the security negligence pointed out in the OP.
When I buy an Apple computer, I'm aware of everything you listed - and in fact, I enjoy it. I don't want to worry about a thing when I buy my computer. I'm not interested in self repairing, upgrading, or tinkering.
If I buy an Asus however, I would have had no idea that my entire system was at risk. That kind of negligence is malicious in my eyes - not creating closed off hardware.
Apple's devices tend to be more difficult to repair or upgrade yourself, yes, but this is not malicious, even if it is somewhat hostile.
Also, I should point out that while Apple's phones don't let you install unapproved software, this isn't true of the Mac, which, unlike Microsoft-approved PCs[0], lets you install alternative operating systems (you can even boot to DOS!), disable its security features, etc.
[0] I know that MS do allow OEMs to allow disabling Secure Boot, but it's not required as of Windows 10. Meanwhile, Apple's computers don't have it in the first place!
> Apple's devices tend to be more difficult to repair or upgrade yourself, yes, but this is not malicious, even if it is somewhat hostile.
If they consciously take a hostile action (and let's face it, you don't accidentally design a new screw) then yes, I'd call that malicious. If you do that repeatedly then I'd consider you evil.
> Also, I should point out that while Apple's phones don't let you install unapproved software, this isn't true of the Mac, which, unlike Microsoft-approved PCs[0], lets you install alternative operating systems (you can even boot to DOS!), disable its security features, etc.
Gatekeeper seems like a step towards it. And regardless, Microsoft isn't exactly a paragon to compare yourself against.[0]
Right. These can also be interpret as their reason to make slimmer devices. People buying these products would presumably know what they're getting into.
Custom screws, unless they're customized beyond the driver required to remove them, almost certainly don't qualify as a tool for making slimmer devices.
4 out of 6 complaints here all help reduce the size of an electronics product.
In fact some of those decisions led me to chose an Apple product over a non apple one.
Locked down software ended up being a business decision for Apple's App store. As for the screws, I have no idea, but you can easily find appropriate screwdrivers online so it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me.