I've used my MacBook without an Apple ID for years and it works fine. When you install a fresh copy of MacOS, they don't force you into bullshit hoops like having to disconnect your WiFi or running some bat script just to get the option for a local account back. No, it just asks for a login and provides a button to skip it. You knows the exact same thing Windows used to do, but doesn't anymore.
I'm not sure what you mean by pretty dang unsupported. Everything I use the MacBook for as a software developer works great, no Apple account needed.
Agree. The only thing you need one for is the Mac App Store, but most software is either not on there to begin with or is also available directly from the developer's website (other than Safari extensions, which are mostly Mac App Store only). But not only does Apple not force you to sign in with an Apple ID, if you do it doesn't take over your account (i.e. Windows makes your email address your username and you sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account password). Allowing password reset with your Apple ID and uploading your FileVault key to iCloud are both optional (and they ask you instead of it being opt-out). And you can also choose to sign into just Apple Media Services (App Store, iTunes, etc), leaving iCloud signed out (or you can use different accounts for each).
I'm not sure what you mean by pretty dang unsupported. Everything I use the MacBook for as a software developer works great, no Apple account needed.