> buy a new better non-apple laptop for less money.

This isn't as easy as it used to be - the performance of the new M1 Mac's is pretty great compared to the competition at a similar price point (especially considering the form factor).

They aren't really overpriced anymore (although it does depend on what you value). I've not seen another laptop I would trade in for my 16GB M1 Macbook Air at the same price point, even a year on.