Apple's user base is one that wants Apple to do all their thinking for them as far as computer decisions are concerned. Often this may lead to sub optimal solutions for them, but they are ok with this because the overall lack of worry with Apple products, and the fact that they have a good track record of making good decisions, still leaves them ahead in the net (this may be changing with pro Macs though).
Linux users, OTOH, have an opinion on everything. Worse, a vocal minority is simply anti anything that is popular, which means Ubuntu's goals were entirely in conflict with this segment of their base.
Let me rephrase it in less condescending terms (or, more accurately, /different/ condescending terms):
Apple users want to get shit done, instead of compiling custom kernels to fix font rendering issues when using Wifi while headphones are plugged in.
"Pro user" means, for Apple, s/o using a computer to create something. It is not someone who's a professional at using computers, i. e. constantly optimising their 20+ USB gadgets and swapping hardware components.
Agreed here. I have compiled probably a half dozen linux kernels in the last 15 years, and especially in college, tried many flavors of linux. So I've historically not been intimidated by tinkering.
But now that I have a career that relies on getting stuff done, and don't have time to play with kernel modules and window managers just to get my computer running in a stable way. I have zero patience with the clusterf*ck that seems to still be the Linux desktop.
I mean, look at this thread itself. When I see I hear all kinds of things like Wayland, Xwfm4, Compton, Unity, Gnome (the only one I recognize), multi monitor issues, tearing? Who has the time these days to deal with all that, unless it's part of their jobs, they're curious college kids, or they're kernel hackers?
I mean, geez, it's 2017. Apple (and MS to an extent) figured these issues out for the most part more than a decade ago. Yea yea I get it, drivers, blah blah. But I simply don't have time anymore to futz with this stuff. I have to get things done and need a reliable machine. And my clients don't pay me to fiddle with my kernel to get nice animations.
It's the same reason I don't build a Hackintosh, although I'm really tempted. SO this isn't an "I love apple" type thing – it's an "I want to get work done and not stare at a boot loader" thing.
That may be your experience, but it's not mine. I've been using Ubuntu since 2006 or so and I have never had to do the things you mentioned or had any issues. I don't even know how to mess with kernel modules or window managers.
My experience with Apple has been far from "Getting things done". Just to name a few issues:
* I had a screen saver (one of the stock ones) turned on and it would cause my fan to go crazy
* It still doesn't always sleep, I sometimes find it running low on battery in the morning because an application woke it up
* I have had to use the Apple store which requires a phone number, credit card, etc to just get XCode
* Maximize doesn't seem to always work
* I can't keep a window always on the top
* Changing the password for wifi sucks
* If I change my system password, for some reason I always get these annoying and constant popups saying that so-and-so wants access to something, which only works on the old password
* Copying and pasting does weird stuff, adds in a bunch of crap that I don't want often
* Updating my OS takes forever and does whatever it wants without giving me much insight into what is going on
For the record, since macOS 10.12.4, I get to enjoy tearing on a rMBP13, on both built-in and external display. So no, this stuff was not being figured out 10 years ago.
By the same token, the last time I compiled a Linux kernel, it was 2001 in calendar, or something like that. Since then, the distribution provided ones are fine. Even if it means running 3.10 in 2017. It works, it's fine.
I think both groups want to get shit done. It's more a question of what each group can tolerate. Apple users can tolerate a lack of choice. Linux users can tolerate a constant struggle with flaky device drivers.
Linux users, OTOH, have an opinion on everything. Worse, a vocal minority is simply anti anything that is popular, which means Ubuntu's goals were entirely in conflict with this segment of their base.