Not sure what your platform choice is, linux or windows, but this post is all with a linux bias.
I have a 15" macbook pro from late 2013. I do not upgrade computers very often and expect them to last a long time.
Laptops are especially hard because I am also a linux user who has never operated a linux laptop. The departure from Mac leaves me with Windows which I will not ever operate.
I've looked into this before am currently considering these
Thought about getting a super light weight low spec cheap laptop like a thinkpad x220 or even a dell. Most the time my laptops are used as clients, so I do not need too much. Running a web browser is the most intensive need these days.
System76 - Gazelle or better. These look nice and are linux compatible.
Also, an article I saved to read later and still havn't found time https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/11/2/13497094/b...