> entered the specialised market realm

The reasoning in this thread started with something along the lines of "if you use your computer professionally... [statements]". I would argue that if you use your computer professionally you should definitely consider using specialised products, which includes custom built desktops as you correctly noted.

For many people—particularly those in creative professional fields like music production—a Mac laptop is the specialised hardware they need, because it is the only thing that supports their workflow (certain software required, must be able to be on-site with it, etc).

Not true,IMO

1 I would have got the person at the shop check it and tell me if I need a new laptop or a new part, this happened to a laptop of mine and I decided I would get a new laptop, then the shop person offered to buy the display and RAM from me and I sold it, so a different person would be able to fix his laptop

2 a spare part can be found from a different laptop or ordered online by the shop, so they can order it at the time I arrived with my broken laptop

I don't think that I would have been screwed but let me know if you still disagree.

> this happened to a laptop of mine and I decided I would get a new laptop

Equally true for Apple hardware, that you can get in most reasonably sized shopping malls basically anywhere over here (France). Most places that sell laptops also sell Apple hardware.

Maybe I do not understand your point, but can you go with a broken Apple laptop , without a schedule to shopping mall, have someone test it, tell you a diagnose and how much will it cost, ifv you decide you want a new one would the shop offer you money for the working parts of your Apple laptop( Apple is trying to make this illegal, reusing parts)

Oh, maybe it's just me that was confused and did not understand your case. Let me fix that: you went to the shop for a diagnosis maybe expecting a simple operation and was told the computer requires unexpectedly expensive repair, so you bought a new one instead? I thought you knew it beforehand since it was old already.

In that case where there is no Apple sanctioned repair presence such shops either usually sell Apple hardware and gladly perform support and diagnosis if that can bring them a sale, or they're nice enough to help you anyway with the diagnosis out of good will (people are generally like that in digitally scarce areas) and will direct you to get a new one at the mall (or, they're dicks and then, screw them).

You have every right to call me an optimist about human behaviour though ;)

Right, is the same here in Romania, a third party shop will try to help you fix any laptop,phone,tablet , I dislike the fact that Apple is attacking this shops with lawsuits, FUD campaigns, preventing others to buy parts etc.

So other laptops are exactly like macbooks, but presumably the spare parts are less prevalent?

No, the laptop was old and not in a great condition, I would have to buy new motherboard,CPU and who knows what, I preferred not to invest my money into that and get a new one.