Not sure I agree. While about USB3 and even USBC it might be true, but I have a MacBook Pro 2011 (2.4Ghz Core i5), that I put a 256Gb SSD in and upgraded to 8GB of RAM. It is certainly as or more powerful than the Lenovo N5030 with 8GB of RAM I picked up new this year running Windows 11.
Those older i5s age very nice. With the Open Core Legacy Patcher -- it runs Ventura very well, btw.
Desktop 2013 i5 - Core i5-3340 (choosing this to put your arguement at an advantage
Mobile 2013 i5 - Core i5-13600T (choosing this as its mobile, with the same approximate price point).
While not the most informative of benchmarks, you'll find that 10 year old i5's really are quite a bit slower, especially when attempting to power more modern hardware (SSD, more powerful GPU) due to the both the slower ram, thinner busses and crappier cache.
Intels branding is -so good- that people have blurred all their i5 experiences together.
> The point is more about how slow Intel processors still are really.
The i3/i5 is not their flagship CPU, Its middle market tech, The 'middle market' gets something which is 'just enough to keep them happy'. Most of these systems run a browser and office, so as long as that works, people are happy.
When you want performance from intel you buy their higher end i9's and Xeons,
Those older i5s age very nice. With the Open Core Legacy Patcher -- it runs Ventura very well, btw.