It’s certainly “bad design” if we’re designing specifically with the OS convert who has a grudge against trackpads as the target user. But multitouch and its functionalities has been a fundamental part of macOS for nearly two decades now. For better or worse, a traditional mouse makes about as much sense for a macOS environment as it does for an iPad at this point. It’s workable, and it has certain advantages, but it’s really not recommended as your only pointer. At best, it’s used in tandem with a trackpad.

Most of the input devices that Apple sells on their website don't have multitouch, including 0 keyboards and only one of the mice. Many of the photos on the site for each of their non-iMac desktops include full setups that don't have a magic mouse or separate touch pad. The Mac mini and Mac Studio don't come with any input devices, and don't say anywhere that multitouch is recommended (closest is some language clearly marketing it as an up-sell on the Studio, "Take your creativity to the next level [with extra purchase]").

> It’s certainly “bad design” if we’re designing specifically with the OS convert who has a grudge against trackpads as the target user.

"holds a grudge" no? I just sit at a desk.

If you don't have a multi-touch pointing device, I suppose. Though, it's like trying to use Windows with a single mouse button.

You can also hit ctrl-left or ctrl-right to move spaces without one or ctrl-1, ctrl-2, ctrl-3, etc. to switch to a specific virtual desktop directly.

You can also hit ctrl+ scroll wheel if you have one. Or add mission control hot corner to one of the screen corners.

It's especially ironic coming from the company that resisted the two-button mouse for so long because they thought it would confuse people.