When I switched off Android >5 years ago, even then, it was as simple as turning on the hotspot and connecting to it. It was no more cumbersome than any other wifi network. This was with a Pixel device and Linux laptop, and I am sure it works on Windows too.
It's the same now. Turn on hotspot->Connect to it on the PC. After that one step it's in your saved networks and you're good to go.
The only difference is Apple will do this automatically for you. If you open up your mac, and don't have network, you get a little pop up that says "use iPHone's connection?" and will turn on hotspot and connect automatically. Nice, but hardly any different or time saving really.
You have obviously not compared it to how fast a Mac connects to an iphone. There is no need to turn on the hotspot. You can leave that on on the iphone. Just open your MacBook and it quickly connects to your iphone if it does not find a standard wifi.
I am very familiar with the Android hotspot feature. I used it for years. It works OK. But, it is not as fast as the Mac/iphone combo. Not even close. I am speaking from extensive experience.