My friend recently got a new Windows PC. Out of the box, it spent maybe 15-20 minutes updating itself. "We're getting things ready", reboot, create a Microsoft account, 10 data sharing settings to turn off, "almost ready..." Iirc, a MacBook is ready to use without any updates.
Do you want to give this app access to downloads? To desktop? To microphone? What about this app? Sign in to iCloud. Sign in again. Maybe this time? Nope, sign in to iCloud.
I’ve picked my poison, and it’s Apple, but it’s far from perfect.