Oh, and that $400 AP is slower than the Turris Omnia that it was replacing - and that was doing 4x gigabit switching at the same time.
What part? The Unifi controller software is not for "a device", it's for multiple devices, imagine having to manage SSIDs / auth for primary+guest Wifi network across just 5 access points. I don't think anyone would enjoy logging into 5 separate AP UIs. Add your Unifi gateway + switches to that and the need to have a unified control plane is pretty obvious.
If you want self-contained, that's a separate product line, usually prefixed with "Edge". What's "infuriating" about having two product lines I don't understand. Honda makes motorcycles, boat engines, cars and jets and nobody gets pissed about it.
> there are several lines that can’t be managed from the same control plane.