I hear you. My philosophy changed about 20years ago when Apple switched to Intel:

Mac laptops are expensive, but I regularly get 4-6 years from them without too much drama if I simply max out the ram when I buy them.

My thinking of my eventual move to Linux full time, a Framework or System76 machine costs similar to a Mac, and use the same Max ram philosophy.

I just wish the build quality was just a bit better for the price, but I’m willing to trade a little for user serviceability…

I* want* to buy one. But:

• I’m mid cycle with my last laptop; and
• who the hell can afford to buy RAM for a new system these days?!?!

They are now one and the same…

https://k9mail.app/2022/06/13/K-9-Mail-and-Thunderbird

I often recommend mailinabox for the same thing…

On android: have you tried Thunderbird with davx5 as the connector?

I have suggested people start with MailInABox and go from there…

https://mailinabox.email/