That website is a wreck. I purchased some parts from EOE and everything turned out fine, but I also know that people have had issues with them as well.
I flash modded a 6th gen Classic. I enjoyed the miserable experience, and I enjoy using the iPod for 320k MP3 AUX playback, but honestly I think a modern device probably makes more sense. If not a smartphone with one of the Apple-Aux adapters, maybe something like the NW-A306. Lack of streaming support is bad. No real FLAC / “high-res” support is bad. iTunes is a mess.
I spent about a year arguing with C-levels that our fleet running 8GB was slowing down productivity, with evidence to prove it. It was like pulling teeth to procure some SODIMMs.
I’d still say this article is coming at things from the wrong perspective. That $700 Walmart M1 MBA is more than adequate for most kids doing school work, and/or grandparents farting around on FB. If you have a family and had to grab a few identical laptops, and you aren’t able/willing to be tech support, it really makes a lot of sense financially.