What will be the todays equivalent MacBook Pro to this MacBook Pro from 2017? I am looking into replacing it

Your MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) had four USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports, and could drive up to four external displays at the same time as the built-in screen.

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

A 15" MacBook Air with a plain M3 chip only has two USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports. It can only drive a single external display with the lid open – two (with limitations) with the lid closed.

MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

I would suggest that you look at 14" MacBook Pros with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. These MacBook Pros have three USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports, plus a HDMI port and SDXC card slot not found on the MacBook Airs. Those with plain M4 and M4 Pro chips can drive up to two external displays with the lid open. Those with M4 Max chips, up to four external displays with the lid open. The GPUs get stronger as you go from plain M4 to M4 Pro to M4 Max – but you may not need the higher-end GPUs unless you plan to run a lot of displays, or will be doing 3D gaming.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Pro or M4 Max, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

The 16" MacBook Pros offer the same computing power, and expansion ports, in a package with a larger screen; but with that larger screen comes a significant increase in weight.

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

The closest equivalent would be a 15" Apple Silicon MacBook Air. You can get it with the same RAM and storage. It's got MagSafe, so you really only use one USB. It's much, much faster. And probably half the price you paid for the MBP.

Hi, I would recommend the 15" M3 MacBook Air with 16 GB RAM. It will be a huge upgrade for you in terms of performance. The only thing that you could miss is the TouchBar, but I'm not sure if you liked that feature. Overall, it's a powerful machine even in the base configuration. You could also consider the base 14" M4 MacBook Pro, but it is 300$ pricier. For that money, you'll get even better performance, connectivity (HDMI port and SD card slot) and better screen.