zlacker

Because as a customer you should have the choice to get a repair from whoever you want. Even if you only go to Apple, competition will force their prices down somewhat.

"pay the Apple"

It's not just Apple doing this

"then spend lots of extra time trying to save $50 on a repair."

What if you're trying to save precious data? Apple don't make much effort to do data recovery because they don't care; you can fund 3rd party repairers who absolutely do. What if you got the device second hand? What if it's not $50, but $1000+? I've seen a video where Apple tells a journalist they have to buy a new Mac, and a 3rd party repair shop fixes it for free because it was such a small issue that Apple didn't even check for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2_SZ4tfLns

"Macs are all identical, so repairs boil down"

This is the problem; Apple is pairing parts to devices, so if you use a 100% genuine part from a new device it still won't work

>>circui+(OP)
> What if you're trying to save precious data? Apple don't make much effort to do data recovery because they don't care; you can fund 3rd party repairers who absolutely do

I keep backups, both in iCloud and elsewhere. Apple makes it a headache to avoid doing this, and they apparently finally added proper E2E encryption support.

I guess I think of Apple computers more like generic corporate fleet vehicles, and Linux boxes more like classic cars.

I really don’t think anyone cares if a ford dealer irreparably destroys 1% of the bottom trim white F-150s they maintain, and also forbids the people that bought the service contract from opening the hood.

None of that applies to a mustang shelby, but that’s a different part of the market.

Maybe some people really like their macs / phones, and don’t just use them like interchangeable boring tools.