This is quite off-topic but still no Nova release today so the webs can spare it 
I'm seeing the exact same empty hatred about brands right here in Europe though, so that doesn't seem to be the issue.
But I'm curious which consumer protection laws (in general) you are thinking about. Because I still have to deal with crappy RMA support and customer service over here in our Glorious Federation of Countries.
The store who sold me a full-cover EK block (made in Africa, sold in Netherlands) instructed me to contact the manufacturer first, which responded I needed to take it up with the store. The exact same thing happened with my Swiftech H220 set.
And at the moment I'm dealing with AVM about a Fritzbox modem/router that crashes a few times a day, for about a month now. Not because I can't go to the store, but sending it back (at my cost) to the shop would mean I'd need to wait about a week to get it shipped and processed through them to the manufacturer's RMA office, X weeks to get it examined by the manufacturer and another week to get it back. Without any guarantee I won't be billed if they don't find anything wrong with it. What consumer protection laws ? The "14 days return policy" ? Only if the product and packaging is in very good condition and shipping costs are for the buyer. You want your money back ? Good luck with that
I don't want to come across as an Apple fanboy, but I think there is much FUD surrounding the brand and it's even popular to bash the brand without any knowledge. But as some of you have seen, I do like to tinker. But I also own some Apple devices.
Why ? I don't like to tinker with my phone, it should always work because it's important people can reach me. I don't want to have to worry about malware and uncertain product-lifetime support.
I want to use my tablet for media consumption, games and browsing, no other tablet than my trusty iPad can give me a better experience.
Since I've gotten an Airport Extreme, I've never had such a stable home network, with solid WiFi, 100% stability and all options I needed.
If we're talking about desktops, there is no real comparison to be made since Apple hasn't made consumer tower cases in over a decade (Mac Pro = workstation), so it's logical they aren't for tinkerers. Laptops aren't for tinkerers either in my opinion, only so much you can do without soldering.
I'm not saying Apple is divine, but most of the hate towards it is unfounded and ignorant rage. This is the problem, the unguided rage. Not the brand. Because tomorrow it could be Microsoft. It actually was Microsoft that got the most critique before the last century, in my opinion the same unfounded narrow-minded hatred based on 1% fact and 99% here-say. But after seeing people in almost physical agony about a company they don't agree with, it's unsettling. With terrorism and genocide still such huge problems in our lifetimes, why do we have such strong negative feelings about a company we can almost completely ignore ? I just can't understand.
