Make two lists: the first list is the "dream" machine -- what I want if money were not an issue, and the second list is the features that I need. Match those two lists of specifications to available machines. Maybe compare the lists with machines that I already have. If money is an issue, throw out the "dream" machine list and go with the only what is needed list.

Much of this is a matter of preference. https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/13-inch-sk...

  13-inch -- this is slightly large for me.
  (Maximum) 32GB RAM -- this is not enough for me.

https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch-sp...

  16-inch -- this is a behemoth but the only laptops capable of having more than 32GB RAM!?!
  128GB RAM -- now we're getting somewhere
  $10,549.00 -- this is in the "dream" machine list