I definitely want more storage, and will be using external disks with it.

This is a valid point, but I also want to keep it on macOS for the AirMessage apps. And it feels like the Intel Mac’s are all on life support right now. But a used Mini is much cheaper on eBay than a new one!

I thought parallels could run Windows 11 ARM version? What about QEMU?

Thank you much, that’s my biggest worry.

My mid 2012 has been upgraded to the max. It’s got the 2.9GHz dual core i7, 16 GB RAM, 4 tb of storage thanks to a data doubler, and is running MacOS 14.4. I’ve been getting kernel panics lately, and sometimes struggle getting it to turn on, I’m afraid it’s getting time to retire it. It’s unfortunate, but this has been an outstanding laptop for me. I dual boot windows and macos on it. Perhaps I’ll put fedora on it shortly and see if it behaves any better.

macOS: Lack of official support for models that are still relevant. I’ve got the last MacBook Pro that was fully upgradable, a mid 2012 model with a dual core 4th gen i7. You can upgrade everything in it, and I have. 16gb of RAM, two disks, one an SSD, and the other a large HDD. But the latest official version of MacOS is Catalina. But I’m running Ventura on it now with no issues. And in similar respect, no upgradability at all of the new Macs after purchase. It’s very anti consumer.