Laptop easily become dinosaurs after 3-4 years. Better to buy based on what you need now.
As my current workhorse Mac is a 2015 13” Intel MBA, I'd have to disagree with the first sentence!
It remains fast, easy to use, and handles my word processing, spreadsheet, graphing, emailing, browsing, astronomy simulations, and stat analyses with aplomb. No dinosaur, at all. Not a cheetah like the M1, M2, but a fast fox who needs refueling every now and then.
However, I agree whole heartedly with the second sentence! The difficulty, though is that OP is interested in something that will last 6-7 years and their needs may change! The question is whether retirement will reduce or increase their computing needs.
My different take on this is that retirement or retirement planning will provide clarity on finances, needs, disposable income, and how computer one can afford, need, or want.
The 3-4 year time horizon is, thus, a good one. And, reinforces the idea of buying what one needs now, which presumably will be about what one needs in a few years. If needs change, resell or give to a family member, and get then what one needs or wants then!