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What would make you leave Apple?

Starlifter said:
I'm too invested to change platforms, and I've been with Apple since Leopard. Besides, where else is there to go?
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"where else is there to go?" yes there are places but in all the alternatives, there is PAIN waiting for you 😅 You trade off a bit of pain/inconvenience going with the opensource private solutions, or you have to trade your privacy if you go with tech giants a.k.a. google+microsoft
 
For me, I’d begin to look elsewhere if I cannot stay on Sequoia for my M4 Mac mini until the Liquid Glass effects can be turned off, hopefully in macOSv27.n. Same for iOS and iPadOS prior to v26.n. More clicks to do the same things, and at least for me much harder to read. Really a what-were-they-thinking moment imo.
 
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crococarbs said:
"where else is there to go?" yes there are places but in all the alternatives, there is PAIN waiting for you 😅 You trade off a bit of pain/inconvenience going with the opensource private solutions, or you have to trade your privacy if you go with tech giants a.k.a. google+microsoft
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I've been thinking about this for a long time, especially after the pandemic but if the goal is to get more privacy (whatever that means to you) or to get away from the more computer dependent lifestyle, I've concluded most of us aren't going to come remotely close by merely downloading a few pieces of software.

Like self-hosting is definitely part of it, but at least for me, I'm not going to be able to drop most problematic software and hardware until I move to somewhere I can live without Internet connected devices (computers, cars, anything with a computer in it) for most day to day tasks.

I'm talking the kind of lifestyle and location where you're able to walk to most places, you pay mostly in cash, you get a mix of physical media and DRM free digital media (or you just use the library), and all of that good stuff. In my opinion, doing anything else isn't going to work all that well, since projects can be abandoned or absorbed then changed, etc.

I'm working towards something like that instead of planning my next ecosystem move.
 
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My first thought was that it would take a catastrophic event like permanently being locked out of my Apple account and any devices that had Find My turned on.

However, reading about such events the past few years inspired me to continually "downsize" the complexity of my electronic life as much as possible so that any loss would be less devastating and recovery would be less effort and expense.

So I don't know for certain if I'd simply buy a new Apple Watch* and iPhone* and create a new account, but at least I wouldn't have to re-learn anything, since I tend use everything out of the box with little customization and only use the cloud for convenience and anything on there is replaceable.

*Find My is on
 
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As a small business owner Apple computers and hardware has made device management and reliability a dream. When we were running windows on everything it was constant headaches, repairs, etc. We still have our original 2014 mac minis running as servers 24/7 for over a decade (almost 15 years now) without any signs of issues or slowing down.

If that changes and Apple is no longer the reliability champ then we would absolutely switch to Linux or something unless Microsoft suddenly pulls a snow leopard. The tight integration and ecosystem help, especially since I use my Apple Vision Pro for 90% of my workday but ultimately the lack of headache is what keeps me.

I used to work in IT and just like how a mechanic buys an old toyota or a 1980s mercedes because the last thing they want to do is deal with their own vehicle, I similarly don't want to be tinkering and dealing with a headache with my computer after a long day of software development/QA/managing my team
 
I'm in the same situation. I'm still on Sequoia on my M1 MacBook Air and iOS 18 on my 13 mini. I don't plan on upgrading the OSs on those, and I don't plan on buying anymore Apple hardware in the future. I've been with Apple since 1994, and their decisions in the last 5 years has made me slowly move away from being an Apple devotee. I have a NAS for all my storage and I don't use iCloud anymore, I work in IT and I've seen too much of what can happen when you have a single point of failure (iCloud hosting EVERYTHING). So I've been working on moving away from Apple services altogether. I'll keep using my MacBook Air until Sequoia isn't getting security updates, then I'll take it offline and just use it as my photos library device. I know my way around Linux so that isn't an issue, I also am slowly switching to Proton for what I need for any remaining cloud services.

Unfortunately, for me, the value proposition for Apple just isn't there anymore. Others may feel different, and I respect that.
 
When my tech stops working for me and it switches to me managing it, I will dump it. I know that can sound jaded, and maybe it is a bit. The tech industry is in general headed to the rubbish bin in my opinion, and my life is too valuable to me to spend it trying to make tech work for it. I'm minimizing my reliance on tech, as well as disconnecting from news and media in general. Being in nature is so vastly better for my wellbeing anyway.
/Rant over/
 
I have never believed in ecosystems, unless said ecosystem plays along with everyone (eg: Windows).

Nokia couldnt lock me into one, Android couldnt and for sure Apple cant.

My business with Apple started due to the iPhone mini and has ended as of May of this year. Mac prices going up means I wont be buying a macOS device, and the only thing I own that is good is the current iPad Mini.

So, in my case, the question would be "What would make me come back?". I will say I can live with a normal sized iPhone, but I do care about PWM bothering my eyes, so thats one thing on the list. Forcing people to use iCloud for backups, and being stingy about other stores is another thing on the list.

And finally, and this one might be a dealbreaker for Apple, putting specs that go according to the times we are living on. I paid 600$ for a foldable flip device (Motorola Razr 50 Ultra) with 512gb storage and 12gb ram, an LTPO screen with 165hz refresh rate (I'm fine with just 120hz) and DC-dimming). All of these better than what the 700$ iPhone 17 offers, which its only excuse for a lot of people is "being trapped in the ecosystem".

Wake up people, save money. There's plenty of devices out there who will work just fine for you. Stop buying bootleg crap from the usual sites and stick to known brands like Bose, Sony, Lenovo (Thinkpad) and you should be fine.
Love it when people try "no name" TWS earbuds from Amazon, and later complain that everything not-Apple is crap lmao.
 
crococarbs said:
TL;DR: Apple Maps ads triggered me, a step away from what I liked most about them, no ads and privacy, so time to explore alternatives.

I have been happily living in the "walled garden" for many years, deeply invested in the ecosystem with icloud photos, files and backups, etc. I have been happy to pay extra for Apple devices just because things work so well.

But recently a few of Apple's decisions have are making me second-guess if I should explore alternatives, for example adding ads to the App Store and Maps. Also, whenever I use my Linux computers, the friction of trying to use Apple services from those is very high, sometimes totally impractical (photos from the iCloud web interface kinda suck) or impossible (no AirDrop in Linux).

I am currently testing a few things: using Immich for personal/local cloud photos, got an old cheap pixel phone to try out "degoogling" it as much as I can, using Proton services for calendar+mail+cloud files, KDE Connect and LocalSend for sending files between devices, even testing Asahi linux on one of my macs (those guys are wizards!). The experience so far varies from "OK" to "janky", but usable, and at least I have control moving forward.

So where do you draw the line? What would make you switch?
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I'm neither moving out of apple or moving into the apple ecosystem. I just want to get the best of both worlds tbh. Andriod is the perfect device for mobile application and general freedom of installing software alongside the fact that performance and emulation capablities are generally better while Mac is best for computers and polish and performance. If harmonyOS ever gets into the wider market then I would probably buy one of there systems for a change.
 
eyoungren said:
The Apple tax? Apple would argue that you are not paying 'extra'. You are paying for their product. You only see it as extra because similar products that are not Apple cost less.

In short, I don't believe Apple believes you are paying 'extra'.
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I agree : I don't believe Apple to be 'expensive' , they just cost what they cost , and the competitors which are in one way or another inferior are simply cheaper products , because 'you get what you pay for' .

In the same way , I have over the last 50 years driven only Mercedes-Benz , ever since having a bad crash in 1978 in my dad's 220/8 and walking away from it , after a drunk driver in a stolen Ford came around a bend on the wrong side of the road and crashed head on into me - the crumple zone and passenger safety cell did its job , I was able to open my door and step out unhurt ; while the guy in the Capri broke three limbs , several ribs , his nose and facial lacerations , besides being trapped in the car which had folded up like a pack of cards and had to be cut out by the fire brigade - and no hydraulic cutting equipment back then - it was hacksaws , crowbars , hammers etc . You simply cannot put a price on technology that saves your life , and Mercedes-Benz pioneered automotive safety in the 1930s and still make the safest cars in the world today , despite what the likes of Volvo , who also make safe cars , might claim .

I could draw comparisons between many products I have chosen down the years , never the cheapest , but always justifiably better than competitors : Quad Hi-Fi , Michell Turntables , SME pickup arms , Omega watches ......

Pay for quality and you buy once ; buy cheap and you buy again and again ...
 
uacd said:
There is something Apple doesn't tell because they enjoy replacing batteries for money - you gotta charge new devices with old 5W, 10W or 12W original Apple chargers (or similar). If you use any new fast chargers like this 20W or 40/60W bricks from your MacBook, they heat battery a lot and decrease its lifespan.
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According to this article, it is more complicated than that:

https://articles.brick.tech/does-fast-charging-damage-your-battery-2026-evidence/

Yes, heat is one of the enemies, but there is more to it.
 
If it would turn out Apple's privacy stance is fake and they would track me and sell my data... then I would drop them like a rock. As for a good alternative: I'd love to get a premium Linux device, if it would exist. Yes, you could get (for example) a Fairphone, but I would not consider that a premium phone.
 
MBAir2010 said:
umm the new CEO guy worked at a funeral home,
new rumours have circulated.
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Coming soon...
Image.png
 
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derekheeps said:
I agree : I don't believe Apple to be 'expensive' , they just cost what they cost , and the competitors which are in one way or another inferior are simply cheaper products , because 'you get what you pay for' .

In the same way , I have over the last 50 years driven only Mercedes-Benz , ever since having a bad crash in 1978 in my dad's 220/8 and walking away from it , after a drunk driver in a stolen Ford came around a bend on the wrong side of the road and crashed head on into me - the crumple zone and passenger safety cell did its job , I was able to open my door and step out unhurt ; while the guy in the Capri broke three limbs , several ribs , his nose and facial lacerations , besides being trapped in the car which had folded up like a pack of cards and had to be cut out by the fire brigade - and no hydraulic cutting equipment back then - it was hacksaws , crowbars , hammers etc . You simply cannot put a price on technology that saves your life , and Mercedes-Benz pioneered automotive safety in the 1930s and still make the safest cars in the world today , despite what the likes of Volvo , who also make safe cars , might claim .

I could draw comparisons between many products I have chosen down the years , never the cheapest , but always justifiably better than competitors : Quad Hi-Fi , Michell Turntables , SME pickup arms , Omega watches ......

Pay for quality and you buy once ; buy cheap and you buy again and again ...
Click to expand...
I do believe Apple is more expensive. However, my own justification for paying is the same as you have noted - quality.

Unfortunately, our own financial situation has never allowed for brand new purchases of Apple products, except on installments for iPhones and iPads. This means that I am largely behind in using current models of Apple products. But, I'm okay with that as the majority of the time I am able to do the things I need to do, or want to do. You learn to work around things.

I agree about Mercedes. If I could ever afford one, I'd buy one. That was an opinion I formed somewhere in the mid to late 90s when I read/saw about something similar to what happened to you. A multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Palm Springs, CA rendered the MB sedan that an elderly couple was driving totaled. Complete wreck. But they walked away from it without a scratch on them.
 
eyoungren said:
I agree about Mercedes. If I could ever afford one, I'd buy one. That was an opinion I formed somewhere in the mid to late 90s when I read/saw about something similar to what happened to you.
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Mercedes vehicles have generally been rated highly for safety over the years, but, so have other makes/models. Insurance companies frequently use IIHS ratings to price consumer auto insurance. They publish their ratings. See, e.g.: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/class-summary/midsize-cars
 
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