I considered and bought Apple hardware when they transitioned to x86_64, since I run more than OSX systems. I’m not switching to Arm since I cannot run() non OSX systems. So their personal computer line is dead to me.
() I’m aware of Asahi Linux, but that is not what I run.
Computers are just getting cheap, now. You can buy an equivalently specced Ryzen Mini PC for $300.
That said, cheap Macs never really grabbed my attention and more than a cheap ChromeOS box does. I want to pay for more features, not less. I already have a media transcode server, there's really nothing I could use a Mac mini for besides maybe the world's most lame set-top box.
() I’m aware of Asahi Linux, but that is not what I run.