Plenty of software and workflows chew up a lot of screen real estate. 13" isn't enough for how a lot of people like to work.

I make it a point to do all my work on a laptop like this. That way, I’m 100% productive anywhere like in a hotel for example. I never miss giant external monitors because I don’t have any.

Alternatively, you're 50% productive everywhere.

I have a 13" Macbook Air, try to travel as much as possible. At home I have a single 27" 4k screen. Both at home and remote I work with just one screen so I'm able to keep my workflow exactly the same. Honestly, I think my productivity on my 13" does drop somewhat, but nowhere near the 50%. I would say I lose 10% of my productivity. For me that 10% is totally worth it to be able to work remotely and travel more.

Might not.

I have gone both ways several times.

Being able to group apps and then being them to focus on the single display works fantastic!

I took the time to get seriously productive in either case. The difference was not a big deal.

Chances are the OP rocks it as hard as they can. I was able to.

And being mobile these days, being able to work on an Air is a real plus!