Nowadays the main question is whether it's open source or not. Anything closed source sucks, or will imminently suck. The more open source it is, the more modular, the more repairable, etc.

Yes this goes for hardware too.

Another point: Avoid 'smart' devices at all costs. They are hardware spyware, full stop, and will stop working whenever it is deemed you need to buy a new one.

What we're avoiding is capitalist opportuism hidden in tech and the solution for that is not to find a good provider. The solution is to find a provider that has a 'business model' that protects against the brunt of this extractive BS.