But I do make some, and many people make lots of money with simple tools all the time.
A recent HN thread asking about hourly billing rates [1] had some people charging $1500/hr with just a screwdriver.
What I consider more interesting is the circumstances leading to someone finding themselves in a position where they can command so much compensation using such simple resources.
And I'm afraid a lot of people won't share those circumstances, you included OP, and myself. That's because if you're able to make all that cash with just you and your laptop, that means anyone can, and the barrier to entry is pretty weak. The barrier is simply knowing something exists. Knowing about some niche, the opportunity, where to look, etc.
And as soon as someone finds your niche, someone else with a laptop will come along and crash your party. Who wants that?
HN-types love to parrot the meme, "ideas are worthless, it's the execution that matters". Except that's not true, because surprisingly often, the only barrier to entry is simply being aware of the existence of some opportunity, the idea, and not some deep arcane knowledge or skill or how magnificent your execution is.