You didn't read my whole comment, then. "But it's another little device to pack and charge."

Read my other comment on this thread. I find that the pros vastly outweigh the cons, and I've been doing phone tethering in earnest since Ericsson shipped their first decent 2G phone with a data modem (the SH-888), back in 1998. :)

I understand that you like those features, but I was offering a reason why, for me, an integrated device is much more convenient. I don't want to think about an external device. When I settle down in a coffee shop, an airport, on a train or bus, etc. I already have to deal with my earbuds (noise-canceling, requires occasional charging) and external MacBook charger. I don't relish the idea of yet another device to unpack.

So I am being downvoted for having experience in the matter?

No, you're being downvoted for trying to stuff your experience into someone else's usecase.