Take a look at Framework AMD (not Intel) options. Battery life is pretty good. Bonus - Its easy to upgrade when new processors are released, you need more RAM, or need more storage. Just as easy to replace anything that wears out - All the parts are available on Framework Marketplace with install directions and videos… Working with a Framework requires no more than a T5 torx driver and a spludger, included in the box with every laptop.

I also do dev work - Mostly network management and other internal tooling… C/C++, NodeJS, PHP, etc. At the moment I have a Framework 16 on order. As a Linux user I wanted hardware with solid Linux support… Dell’s hardware hasn’t been all that great, Lenovo’s pricing is a mess to figure out. System76’s rebranded Clevo laptops are overpriced junk (I currently have an Oryx Pro oryp6, unfortunately). Beware if you want to do any virtualization AMD is the better way to go - Intel’s E/P cores cause trouble… Not to mention Intel processors run hot and are less than power efficient nowadays.