You answered your own question. Non-Linux users already have plenty of options e.g. M2 Air.
If I need a high-performance laptop with Linux---and especially if extended distribution support is important---I'd be wiser to go with the first one certified against the latest LTS rather than trying to convince a "built for Windows" laptop to work: one expected to provide full ACPI access/control, a working fingerprint reader, S/PDIF, a working graphics stack, performance optimizations.
As one example: If you're a university robotics program, it makes sense to get 20 of these at the B2B price tier for your incoming students and they'll >>just work<< for the entire duration of someone's graduate degree and beyond. (Unless something changed recently, Northwestern does this.)
As far as function keys, I also hate capacitive buttons ever since having a touch bar on a work computer. Using vim, you're constantly pressing the glass... nothing corner.
For laptops, it is sensible to default the top row to various controls (brightness, media keys, airplane mode, etc.) rather than F1, F2, etc. But once you have a dedicated Fn key, why not make F1 = Fn + 1, F2 = Fn + 2, etc.? It would take a week of getting used to but makes the most sense---especially if your top row of "real buttons" is now the number keys.