I think the main difference between any toaster manufacturer and Nvidia/Apple is: at some point toaster manufacturers don't even supply their R&D with the means

I think the main difference between any toaster manufacturer and Nvidia/Apple is: at some point toaster manufacturers don't even supply their R&D with the means necessary to actually make new stuff nowadays. E.g. if the head of R&D says: I want to try this new heating element I've thought of, management will say: "sure, where can we buy it?". At Apple and Nvidia I suppose there's the infra in place to make it happen, even if you can't buy it. How long that will still be the case, is an open question (just look at Aerospace for the downfall, with private equity eating all their manufacturing capabilities)