Can't find a fitting model

I would like to clarify that I am dead-set on a thinkpad. While I understand that brand loyality is insignificant when there are better options, I can't see a good value, durability, maintainability and resources other than thinkpads (This is a thinkpad subreddit afterall?). With that out of the way let's get into the juicy meat.

I am primarily a programmer. While I do some gaming, everything is sacrificed for the work value.

With a budget of $500-$600 (low baseline), my primary criteria are:

1. Touchpad buttons, up. This is a deal breaker.
2. At least 2 hard drive slots, preferably x2 NVMe M.2 2280. Or at least a vacant 2280, or sata.
3. Preferably no dGPU. Really can't spare the money on something I don't get the full value of.
4. A tb3/4 / usb4. Planning on a eGPU later down the road, but not now.

Whatever options left, cpu is the decider, not the price tag.

Thank you in advance.