[sbarre]

Maybe today.. But my TV has been sitting on my stand for years, and it doesn't need upgrades.

My Raspberry Pi pi-hole is a Pi 2b that has been running for over 5 years and it's totally fine. It has automatic security upgrades turned on but nothing else, and it doesn't need any time or attention. It just does its job.

I have a Homelab that's a mini-PC that's quiet and does not suck lots of power and is tucked away neatly in a closet.

I think it would be completely possible to provide an appliance-like machine that would not have the problems you're outlining.

Impossible is absolutely the wrong qualifier.