I am running several versions back (12 I think). Every "upgrade" seems to hurt battery life and change things I don't care to have changed. So I simply don't update.
GM told me I'd void the warranty by putting forged pistons and forged rods in my motor, and wouldn't send me the proprietary tools to R&R the balancer, or properly align the oil pan.
I did it anyway.
I'm curious what product you're referring to. In 1997 Apple computers were built using more or less off the shelf stuff. ATX power supplies, commodity chassis, PCI/AGP slots, etc. No special tools outside of a phillips screwdriver were needed.
The first proprietary screws I remember Apple using were the pentalobes, over a decade later. Before the tools came out I just filed a flat blade to snugly fit and removed 'em that way.
There was no G2. I had a G4, no tools were needed. The case opened by flipping up the ring on the side and dropping the side. The screws were standard torx, and there was a torx key in a slot right next to the motherboard.