[Nullabillity]

Let's see here:

* Started the trend of non-replaceable batteries in phones

* Started the trend of non-replaceable batteries in laptops

* Started the trend of locked-down devices where the owner can't decide what software to run

* Custom screws in order to prevent people from fixing their devices

* Custom enclosures in order to prevent people from replacing parts in their devices with commodity devices

* Soldering in stuff that doesn't need to be

And so on, and so forth. It'd be easier to come up with a list of good decisions they've made. In fact, for the sake of balance, here you go:

[blkhp19]

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.

[TazeTSchnitzel]

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!

[Nullabillity]

> 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]

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlcngdW2Ju4

[TazeTSchnitzel]

Gatekeeper applies only to GUI apps and can be trivially turned off.

[Nullabillity]

For now.

[prashnts]

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.

[rincebrain]

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.

[xiaoma]

How does needlessly soldering ram in make a device slimmer?

[TazeTSchnitzel]

Replaceable RAM modules take up more space.

[kosmic_k]

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.

[Nullabillity]

> Locked down software ended up being a business decision for Apple's App store.

Just as all the others? That's not a defense.