That's... standard Windows? It's 100% the same for Apple machines, if stated in more mellifluous tones (or not stated at all, because "screw you, we're Apple"), and even more so for Chromebooks.
Windows11 making it hard to create a local account is a separate topic.
The fine print notes refer to to specific features. In this cases it's "4." for Copilot.
You don't need apple account if you are fine with not using half the features listed in the marketing page for apple hardware. If you looked at the bottom of page for any of apple computers you will see similar fine print. For example https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ .
> 22 Requires that your iPhone and Mac are signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication, your iPhone and Mac are near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and your Mac is not using AirPlay or Sidecar. Some iPhone features (e.g., camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
> 23. SMS requires an iPhone or iPad with iOS 8.1 or later or iPadOS. iPhone calls require an iPhone with iOS 8 or later.
> To access and use all Apple Card features and products available only to Apple Card users, you must add Apple Card to Wallet on an iPhone or iPad that supports and has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
> iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are available on the Mac App Store. Downloading apps requires an Apple Account and a device that is compatible with the OS version required for each app.
And seems like there are a few more things advertised as features of specific apple hardware which probably won't work without apple account but lacks fine print at the bottom for example iCloud.
> Windows11 making it hard to create a local account is a separate topic.
Hard is a generous take. They litterally removed their offline phone mode.
> You don't need apple account if you are fine with not using half the features listed in the marketing page for apple hardware.
Can you name the hardware features? Because Apple take the approach of opt-in in my experience. And don't get me wrong.. I'm adamantly pro choice.
Features are one thing. Getting installed without an account is another thing. Imagine now you buy a laptopwith windows, you can activate it until you connect to the internet.
Apple, buy a notebook. Install the os. Nice airgapped system to test with.
Added software is another story. You're conflating the two I feel.
> You don't need apple account if you are fine with not using half the features listed in the marketing page
I want an OS I paid for. Why should I connect to your CNC?
> buy a notebook. Install the os. Nice airgapped system to test with.
Whereas Microsoft provides testing images, so you don't need to kill the planet just to test if a link really looks blue.
Why are you trying so hard to apologise for one of the worst corporations in the world? They are all bad and they all want the same things from you (money and personal data); they just go about it in slightly different ways.
> They are all bad and they all want the same things from you.
I actually do agree with you on this, but my level of acceptance draws a line in the sand and where Microsoft has gone is past it. No, Apple is no Saint but these days there's no harm in pointing out the difference.
