If you like Apple, stick with Apple. I just didn't like overpriced stuff with a less flexible architecture that restricts you to working the way Apple wants you to. Having total control over architecture definitely makes it a lot easier to develop your OS.
My days of compiling kernels has come and gone... IF however, I did need to drop to a low shell level to do some terminal coding, I can.
*Just putting this out there (as it’s a longtime opinion of mine) ~> I feel, it’s always been a misconception to think MacOS is less flexible. The windowed environment of MacOS just has safeguards to protect itself, thus giving it “the appearance” of limitation. However, underneath it all, is a plain ole’ UNIX/Linux flavoring (circa OS10). But there is one thing I can agree 100% with you on... if you like a particular OS... roll with it (especially if it gets the job done quickly and easily)!