Just FYI, even an M1 Air would feel like an absolute rocket compared to that thing.
Oh I'm sure it would. But I want a machine that will last another 8-12 years, and if I can't upgrade anything inside it's best to aim high and leapfrog everything with the latest and then run it into the ground. The current MBP (which still has a built-in disc drive) had a good 12-year run, but an M4 Max will become my primary machine and also eventually replace the 2010 Mac Pro that's growing ever harder to maintain.