Modern Macs integrate SSD storage directly onto the motherboard and encrypt it with hardware keys inside the processor (M1/M2/M3) or the T2 security chip.
If the Mac dies, does the data die?
In the past, you could take out the disk and read it. Not anymore. If the motherboard fails, the only way to recover data is to repair that specific board by micro-soldering damaged components. If the security chip (T2/M* Processor) dies, the data is unrecoverable because the encryption keys are lost with it. Keeping Time Machine up to date is vital.
