For me the perfect laptop was actually the Chromebook Pixel LS from 2015. Retina 3:2 touchscreen display in a 13in aluminum shell with a really good trackpad, usb-c, and built in webcam. Could be configured with 16GB of RAM though the ssd topped out at 64GB, but it was a laptop, I wasn't going to be storing games or media on it.
However that generation of the Chromebook Pixel had a defect of some sort where the adhesives in the screen breakdown after about 6-7 years and leak into the display, causing discoloration. In fact if you have one of these and have left it untouched for a good amount of time you should check it, there's probably adhesive that has leaked onto the keyboard.
This single incident where my favorite laptop is basically unusable after 6-7 years with no way to raid another one for a spare display (they all have this problem, and their display isn't interchangeable with the 2013 model)is why I'm an even bigger proponent of right to repair and easily upgradeable or interchangeable parts. If I had my way of things, I'd simply open up the computer every few years and replace the motherboard with something more modern but keep the shell. If I knew how to design motherboards or replace laptop displays without completely destroying or scratching the chassis I would. Watching the screen slowly discolor and turn to a milky blue is almost like watching a beloved dog get old and develop cataracts.
However that generation of the Chromebook Pixel had a defect of some sort where the adhesives in the screen breakdown after about 6-7 years and leak into the display, causing discoloration. In fact if you have one of these and have left it untouched for a good amount of time you should check it, there's probably adhesive that has leaked onto the keyboard.
This single incident where my favorite laptop is basically unusable after 6-7 years with no way to raid another one for a spare display (they all have this problem, and their display isn't interchangeable with the 2013 model)is why I'm an even bigger proponent of right to repair and easily upgradeable or interchangeable parts. If I had my way of things, I'd simply open up the computer every few years and replace the motherboard with something more modern but keep the shell. If I knew how to design motherboards or replace laptop displays without completely destroying or scratching the chassis I would. Watching the screen slowly discolor and turn to a milky blue is almost like watching a beloved dog get old and develop cataracts.