Until I got my M-chip Macs (only a few months ago) my 12" 2015 MacBook (all baseline specs) was doing software development. It wasn't my primary but it was a senior secondary. I was running Xcode and an iPhone simulator under Sonoma on OCLP. It was also word processing and internet browsing -- sometimes at the same time. Granted it wasn't doing the software dev/Sonoma thing very fast, but it was more than adequate. As for things like Word and browsing, not even an issue. Some websites might chug occasionally, but other than that, absolutely fine.
If I could get hold of an A-grade refurb or a brand new one at a decent price, I'd get another in case this one breaks. One of the best computers I've ever owned. Granted, I must have bought one of the magic few never to have a keyboard issue, but IMO the model's continued poor reputation is unjustified.
I've been trying to put Linux on it, but amusingly it turns out that the 2015 12" is the worst possible Mac to put Linux on. I can get it up and running and KDE Plasma looks gorgeous on the retina screen, but the keyboard will never wake from Sleep and it's an issue with every distro. Somehow it only increases my affection for the thing.