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'Apple: anti-dev, costly, frustrating, toxic.

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# Apple: The Anti-Dev Platform # Apple: The Anti-Dev Platform
## Introduction This week has been a significant trial. I have had to use MacOS in my day job, and it's reinforced my existing disdain for the platform. In fact, over the past 10 years of using an Apple-based platform, one thing is clear: it got worse.
This week has been a significant trial. I’ve had to use MacOS in my day job, and it’s reinforced my existing disdain for the platform. In the 10ish years since I last used an Apple-based platform, things have gotten worse. Here’s why. ## Here's How
## The Hardware Problem: Forced Obsolescence 1. **Outdated Hardware**: My loan device was from 2020, apparently too old to run the latest macOS.
2. **Xcode Requirements**: I needed Xcode, but since I couldn't run the latest macOS, I couldn't use the latest Xcode either.
3. **Forced Obsolescence**: To run the latest development tools on a Mac, you need very new hardware. This is ridiculous. I understand Microsoft is doing something similar with Windows 11 requiring TPM 2.0. This is also bullshit.
My loan device from 2020 was apparently too old to run the latest MacOS. To run the latest Xcode, I needed the latest MacOS, which meant I had to use very new hardware. This is ridiculous! It feels like Apple is pushing developers to upgrade their devices every year, creating a false economy. ### Forced Obsolescence
Imagine if we had to replace our cars every five years—absolute folly! I use a 15-year-old machine with an 8-year-old graphics card in my lounge room to play games and run AI workloads. It runs the latest Linux swimmingly. Why can’t developers do the same? This practice should be called out for what it is: wasteful and silly. I have the skills to use Linux and can put secure, updated OS's on these devices, but not everyone does. The MacBook I was loaned eventually worked after some coaxing, allowing me to do the necessary development. Most developers are using cloud backends now anyway, needing only a device for writing code (a text editor) and pushing to remote build pipelines. Game developers and those who need real compilers aren't typically using these machines.
## The Software Problem: Xcodegate ### The Obsolescence Myth
To develop on Apple, I need Xcode. But without the latest MacOS, I can’t run the latest Xcode. This creates a Catch-22 situation. Developers are using cloud backends now anyway, so why do we even need powerful hardware? The idea that a machine is “obsolete” after 5 years needs to be stopped. Imagine having to replace our cars every 5 years… absolute folly! I use a 15-year-old machine with an 8-year-old graphics card in my lounge room for games and AI workloads. I have a 4-year-old machine as my main gaming computer, and a 10-year-old all-in-one acting as our kitchen hub computer. These machines run the latest Linux smoothly, giving me access to the latest AI tools (albeit slowly) and perform their functions adequately.
Most of us just need a device to write code and push it to remote build pipelines. The idea that a machine is “obsolete” after five years needs to be stopped. Developers shouldn’t have to spend $2k-$3k AUD every year on hardware just to develop on Apple. ### The Cost of Development
## The Cost Problem: Apple’s Hidden Fees The notion that as a developer I can't possibly run on hardware older than 12 months is beyond stupid. This creates a false economy, meaning you need to spend around $2k to $3k AUD every year just to develop on Apple… that's not okay. On top of the $150 entry fee to be an Apple developer. Moreover, they charge for an “Apple Developer License” to actually do anything useful and distribute your app.
On top of the hardware costs, there’s the Apple Developer License fee of approximately $150 AUD. And don’t even get me started on the enrollment process—you need to upload your government-issued ID to enroll in Apple’s developer program. What’s the point? ### Toxic Ecosystem
If I buy an iPhone or Mac, shouldn’t I own it outright? It seems like forking out $1k for a phone or $2k for a laptop doesn’t actually give me freedom—it just gives Apple more control over my devices. This company is toxic, and I now feel completely justified in my opinion that they are the most anti-consumer company in the world. If someone says “BUT MUH SECURITY,” I think I'll scream… if you use a cloud service, you're already compromised. SHUT THE FUCK UP. Can someone please explain why I need to triple sign in and enroll everywhere just to build MY OWN APP ON MY OWN DEVICE? Seriously, who owns the device? It seems that forking out $1k for a phone, $2k for a laptop means I don't actually have the freedom to use them. This ecosystem is the worst I've ever encountered and should die in a fire.
## The Security Argument: A Red Herring ### General Consumers
When people defend Apple’s security measures, I want to scream. If you’re using a cloud service, you’re already compromised—so stop bringing it up as if it’s a solution. The idea that I need to triple-sign in and enroll everywhere just to build my own app on my own device is beyond stupid. And fuck general consumers for using them! My god, you all suck. Learn how to use a fucking computer instead of asking for “big tech” to look after you. My God, to be an 'Apple developer,' I need to upload my ‘government-issued ID.’ The platform makes me sick. Jesus Christ, you suck.
Who owns the device? It seems like Apple does—if they want to restrict what we do with our devices, maybe they should sell us a manual instead of hardware. ### Hidden Costs
## The Cloud Problem: Not Free The cloud isn't free. The cost of an Apple Developer License is approximately $150. There's no license cost for macOS, but you need an Apple device to use it. As developers, we should be disgusted by this practice. It's anti-consumer and anti-user, making me sick. If as a developer you feel this ecosystem is acceptable, take a good long hard look in the mirror. This goes against everything we stand for.
The cloud isn’t free, and it’s definitely not secure. Developers on other platforms don’t have to deal with these restrictions. Why is Apple making things so complicated? If you’re lucky enough to have the skills to use Linux, like I do, you can put secure and updated OSs on older hardware. But most developers aren’t that skilled—Apple’s ecosystem is toxic for them. ### Future Advocacy
## The Developer Experience: Anti-Consumer In future jobs, I will advocate for an Apple tax of $5k for new equipment and 25% extra per hour for wasting my time with unnecessary Apple hurdles. Thank you for your time.
As a developer, I’m disgusted by Apple’s practices. This isn’t just anti-consumer; it’s anti-user. It goes against everything we should stand for as developers—freedom, choice, and innovation. If you’re okay with this ecosystem, take a long, hard look in the mirror. We need to advocate for change. Maybe include an “Apple tax” of $5k for new equipment and 25% extras per hour wasted on unnecessary Apple hurdles.
## Conclusion
The Apple ecosystem is the worst I’ve ever encountered, and it needs to die in a fire. Learn how to use a fucking computer instead of relying on big tech to hold your hand. Thank you for reading—now go forth and embrace freedom with Linux or other platforms. Your devices (and wallet) will thank you.