Are there no other suggestions beyond the 2012 MBP?
I use arch linux on a Lenova Thinkpad T580, and I'm really happy with it, but I'm not sure about the colour accuracy of the screen. I doubt it's as good as you find on an Apple.
I, for one, am really interested in good, high quality alternative to apple laptop hardware, that meet the parent's criteria.
I just got an eluktronics. Basically barebones powered up systems. I got one running windows but that's only because I need the ableton software.
And just before this, I finally managed to fix Spotlight pegging one core at 100% constantly. Next thing, I reboot into a laggy system. macOS is my favorite OS, but the shit I put up with... it's basically an abusive relationship at this point.