Is a company not beyond reproach? Can't I like the product but still criticize its flaws?

But it’s not a flaw. There’s nothing objective here. The notch is preferable for many, and annoying to some.

What kind of comment is this? Your parent expressed a valid criticism followed by a reasonable solution.

It's not like Apple can't do the same as Dell.

I have to think Dell and others could have put in a notch if they wanted to make that compromise. They clearly felt it better to either do it right (and find a way to nestle the camera stuff into the bezel) than to go full notch.