In my experience, Apple hardware has been quite stable for over a decade. While I think the stability makes it easier to stay on old devices, I'm not sure I agree that it's the primary driver.
I love Apple's ecosystem. The devices interoperate very well, but Apple tries to make it feel like you're missing out on something if you don't have the full suite of devices. And unfortunately, it costs a lot to keep up.
For example, I have an iPhone, an Apple Watch, a Macbook Pro (M2 Max, main workstation), an iPad, 2 Apple TV 4Ks, and a Mac Mini (M1, used as a secondary machine in my workshop). This year I upgraded my iPhone and Apple Watch after 3 years. Next year I anticipate replacing my iPad, the following year is the Mac Mini, and a couple years after that would be the MBP (which will be a $4300? expense?).
While I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of disposable income... perhaps I'm being a bit stingy here, but spending more than $1500/yr feels rough. I can't see how anyone could mostly buy into Apple's ecosystem on an average disposable income level and not keep their devices for several years.
If that's not bad enough, now Apple's really pushing their added services to get more out of the devices. Apple One is $40/mo. Even though it's a suite of services, a $40/mo subscription feels steep.
Oh 2018 Intel macs butterfly keyboards were anything but good hardware. Cables used to wear out extremely quickly back then. There were a few other highly annoying quirks. Only by 2020 or so, hardware got really stable and pleasant to use. I heard M2 Airs had had overheating issues though, although i never owned one.
I love Apple's ecosystem. The devices interoperate very well, but Apple tries to make it feel like you're missing out on something if you don't have the full suite of devices. And unfortunately, it costs a lot to keep up.
For example, I have an iPhone, an Apple Watch, a Macbook Pro (M2 Max, main workstation), an iPad, 2 Apple TV 4Ks, and a Mac Mini (M1, used as a secondary machine in my workshop). This year I upgraded my iPhone and Apple Watch after 3 years. Next year I anticipate replacing my iPad, the following year is the Mac Mini, and a couple years after that would be the MBP (which will be a $4300? expense?).
While I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of disposable income... perhaps I'm being a bit stingy here, but spending more than $1500/yr feels rough. I can't see how anyone could mostly buy into Apple's ecosystem on an average disposable income level and not keep their devices for several years.
If that's not bad enough, now Apple's really pushing their added services to get more out of the devices. Apple One is $40/mo. Even though it's a suite of services, a $40/mo subscription feels steep.