> the base M1 Macbook Airs were such a leap forward, that for many people there is no need to buy the M2 or M3 etc.

Yeah, I'm still on an M1 MBP. I remember when I upgraded, it 2x'd my code's performance, and... it's more than good enough.

The -only- reason it's an MBP is for the external displays. If it wasn't for that segmentation I'd happily be on an MBA.