Comments like this are so reliable around Apple product releases that we could use them to replace NTP. Over time, machines get slower. New code favors new instructions. But it's not like the machine gets 10% slower the day the new ones start shipping.
I am not denying the existence of planned obsolescence but My 2013 Macbook Air lasted almost until now, better durability than any other machine I have ever owned.
I’m still using that! 4 gigs is pretty weak but it runs Linux and is still smooth if there is no ram pressure.
Same situation here. My 2015 is still going, and I've put that little guy through the ringer. Awesome laptop. I caved and bought an M1 Air last year and it's just amazing. I seem to have luckily missed the problem years of the Macs in between.
I bought a Mac Mini in 2018 to replace my 2010 Macbook Pro. So that laptop lasted 8 years. The only reason I didn't buy a laptop instead of the Mini is I refused to buy anything with a touch bar. This is my first new personal laptop in 12 years and I'm so excited.
I had exactly the same experience with my 2013 Macbook Air. It is still perfectly fine, but I wanted something that was actually faster for couch surfing. Which took until now.