Via Claude.ai, a simplified version of the OP’s complaint: For years, my peers told me to avoid Apple devices. However, none of them actually used Apple devices recently. Their knowledge was based on outdated information or peer pressure.

I’m in the EU where Apple isn’t as popular. I’ve used Android phones and Windows PCs for 15 years. I was constantly let down by my phones after 1-3 years, across brands like HTC, LG, Sony, Samsung, Xiaomi, Nokia, OnePlus. Each phone had issues like notification problems, bad battery life, slow camera, restarts.

A year ago, I decided to try an iPhone 13 to see what the fuss was about. After a week, I was doing everything on the iPhone. Six months later, when my Windows laptop died, I considered a thin Debian laptop.

Then I remembered my peers’ anger when I switched to iPhone. So I looked at Mac laptops, which were similarly priced. I got a base M2 Air. I loved the iPhone-Mac integration and features like AirDrop.

My “friends” mocked me for using Apple, claiming I was “locked in” and “fell for marketing.” But I don’t use any paid Apple services. I connected my Apple devices to my home server successfully. I feel more freedom because some things work better than on Android or Windows.

Why so much hate without first-hand experience? Why can’t I decide for myself? Why is Apple connectivity looked down on when that’s not the case? Shouldn’t you at least try before judging?