> by the time this laptop needs to be upgraded, i'll just buy a new one anyways since the new parts probably won't work in the old machine.

It's only been 5 years since their first laptop, but yes they sold motherboards for 5 different CPU generations that all fit in the same chassis. They've also released a Pro chassis that uses the same parts as well.

Whether most people want to keep the old beat up chassis/keyboard/trackpad/battery when they're ready to upgrade is another question.

But they have lived to their promises, despite your claim that they wouldn't.