The difference between the PC and the Mac through time is a study in contrasts of how to engage independent developers though.

As OP said, going back decades Apple has never been a hobbyist platform because of its closed nature to software and hardware.

The love affair of developers for MacBooks after Apple went BSD was a rather surprising turn in their fortunes and experience (and a highly valuable wake up call to Microsoft). I understand how a kid coming of age in that environment might see Apple as a developer’s company through this association. But it’s anathema to Apple’s longer term track record, IME, demonstrated by the difference from the traditional relationship apple has had with independent developers and to which they seem to be bending back towards.