[Phylter]

I have a USB stick that I can use to reload Windows at any time. I downloaded Windows and put it on the USB key using their utility and if I were to replace a drive, my OS eats itself, etc. I just grab that stick. It really should be that easy with macOS too.

Most people don't have multiple computers and most people that own a Mac are unlikely to have two of them.

[satysin]

For reinstalling macOS it is that easy. You can create your own USB install media either using Apple's tool or a third party one.

Or the more common and easier method is to do an "eraseinstall" which does the same thing but without the need to make the USB media. It does some APFS volume stuff automatically to copy the installer, wipe all other volumes, install, then remove the installer volume.

The need for a second Mac is something most Mac users never encounter as it means something has gone seriously wrong or they are a power user doing something "not normal".

I'm not defending Apple's decision here, I see pros and cons for it. Just saying that for almost all users reinstalling macOS doesn't require a second Mac. I have been a Mac user (and developer so not a "normal" user fwtw) for almost two decades now and never once needed a second Mac for any restore tasks.

[Toutouxc]

You can absolutely do that with macOS, you just have to download the OS and create the macOS-installer USB stick on a Mac.

The firmware thing is a separate, unfortunate, issue.

[Fomite]

"Most people don't have multiple computers and most people that own a Mac are unlikely to have two of them." - I would actually be interested on the stats for this for Mac Pro owners.

[EricE]

What does reloading an operating system have to do with swapping hardware that gets cryptographically mated to the machine it's being installed in?

[kalleboo]

Honestly I would assume nearly all people with a Mac Pro also have a laptop of some sort, and they have a Mac Pro it's likely the laptop is also a Mac.