OK, I've been using Macs since 2001, and I've had maybe one adapter die on me. I know PC users who prefer Mac adapters because they are so dependable. Even PC dongles are pretty solid and rarely fail.
I believe your experiences are way outside the norm or you are confusing dongle failure with the participants sometimes not knowing how to set up and operate their control panels.
Additional fails I see are due to software and operator error, with people trying to play videos embedded in PowerPoint, or both the host and the presenter flailing around, unable to adapt the computer's screen setup to the organizer's equipment.
These things fail, and sometimes right out of the box. ITs where I work have plenty of stories. Reviews about dongles and hubs are scary to read. So you had one adapter die on you; I hope it wasn't during a presentation.