If you use the $1.4k USD laptop for 2 years, that works out to around $2 / day. If it’s a Mac, it probably has some resale value at the end of the time bringing the cost down closer to $1 / day.
For a work machine, that’s pretty easy to justify.
I buy Macbooks with Applecare as a self-employed contractor (so no VAT and expense is tax deductible). I sell it after 2-3 years (before apple care expires!) on ebay and you would actually make a profit if I would not tax-declare it. What I personally do not do, as that would be tax evasion. But I've heard of people who don't do that and basically use Macbooks for free/with a profit. Especially since Germany changed the write-off period from 3 years to 12 month recently.
I wouldn't expect an Apple product to last that long… This is from my personal experience and also family members who tried Apple, so your mileage may vary, I just wouldn't trust it.
Ignoring that though, if work machine means an Excel machine, then it's probably overspending IMO. If work machine means workstation, then you'd probably rather want one of the >1.6k models with more working memory… or just don't go Apple.
Every iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro I’ve had (for me and family) has been indestructible.
A few months ago Spotify on an ancient Intel Mac mini in the living room started complaining that the new version of Spotify is no longer compatible with that Mac. Then I ran Open Core and updated the MacOS to a much newer version, and Spotify is happy. Now I’ll get even more years out of that machine.
For a work machine, that’s pretty easy to justify.