They've always been workstation grade hardware because they've been designed for specialised tasks with certifications from software vendors and optimised for a strict subset of tasks. The previous intel systems had dedicated hardware for video (EG the T2 chip in many models doubled as a transcode processor), ECC Graphics RAM and were highly optimised 2D Image and Audio processing. Current ARM systems are highly optimised for high memory throughput applications and multi-processing (and the genius NUMA implementation in the M1 Max Ultra is a legitimately innovative piece of technology; the interconnect between the two domains being as fast as local node memory is a stunning achievement).

The reason Apple sell so many systems to business is because they're a good buy for business and price and feature competitive with other *nix systems like the Dell Precision, Lenovo ThinkPad or HP Z. Not checked the pricing on the IBM Power systems recently but I imagine those are going to be astronomically priced by comparison.

No?

The MacBook Pro and MacPro are some of the more affordable workstation systems available. These aren't generic "gaming" PCs. A business after a high availability, certified, high stress and purpose designed computer aren't going to slam a 3080 in a Corsair case and call it a day; they're spending £50k on a MacPro for multimedia production or £100k on a Dell Precision for Engineering and simulation, because systems like this are designed to do very specific tasks reliably and consistently.

You bought a laptop thinking it would out perform a full sized desktop?

The MacPro and MacBook Pros in the workstation market are some of the more affordable options

The Roland D-50 horn section patch on the keyboard is the cherry on top. Whenever you saw this style of work, even into the 90s, the backing music would always involve some kind of D-50 preset.

The troubles with California's grid come from wildfires in both the state itself and neighbouring Oregon. It damaged a lot of infrastructure.