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Devil's advocate: Doesn't HN frequently tout "moats" - isn't this a moat? What is the practical difference between a moat and vendor lock in?

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As consumers, we want plentiful, high quality, inexpensive products, so we won't have to work so hard for a great life.

As architects of businesses, we want highly-demanded, easy to produce, high-profit products, so we won't have to work so hard for a great life.

Huge difference between the two. You can create a moat around your business, so that competitors find it hard to match the services and value you provide.

Vendor lock in is a moat created around the customer, so that they find it hard to switch even if someone else in the market is offering a better product.

I don't think there's a big difference for the customer. In either case the vendor has full grasp on those family jewels and can name any price for their product or service. See also: everyone eagerly awaiting an actual viable alternative to NVidia's GPUs. Are they a good product? Yes. Do customers want there to be a competitor so they can pursue a dual vendor strategy and do some price negotiation? Also yes.

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