I love my boy with his hair long. It is sooo soft - we comb him out and are just amazed at how beautiful it is. My niece was brushing him once and I overheard her say, "You have prettier hair than most women."
To me it is one of the best parts of a yorkie and worth the criticism.
At first the topknot is some work but it becomes simple to do. Takes me 10 seconds now.