But Microsoft has turned layoffs at the end/beginning of the fiscal year into an iPhone-like release schedule. It's so reliable at this point that it's a meme outside the company amongst its customers. I know for a fact each June/July I'm getting a new account team as people are shuffled around, and low performers are shown the door

Even with these buyouts, there will be layoffs next summer. And the summer after that. And the summer after that.

Yeah, but they've been running layoffs (sometimes more than even yearly) since what, 2022? 2023 at the latest.