I have spent twice the money you stated for a new MacBook Pro 13".
I'd say, the primary point is "it just works".
I know, once it's been delivered, I'll install a couple of tools, transfer some files and it will work. It won't get slower, it won't crash, the hardware won't break. And I don't have to waste time keeping that thing alive.
Maybe I was just lucky with my previous Macs but that's the experience I've had in the last years.
The latest iPhone literally cannot plug into the latest MBPs. The MBP also lacks the chip the AirPods need to work smoothly. I think it is safe to say "just works" is officially dead at Apple.
The W1 chip is in the AirPods, the device that it connects to doesn't need to have a W1, the only requirement is OS support, that includes Macs running Sierra.
Under system requirements: "Mac models with macOS Sierra or later"
Maybe I was just lucky with my previous Macs but that's the experience I've had in the last years.