I disagree. That's what the artificer is.
I'd argue that's what it *did* not what it *is*. It's how they implemented the concept in a very different game system.
The artificer as a class shouldn't assume the DM wants lots of permanent magic items. Or uses action points for that matter. Classes shouldn't require optional content to play.
The class still *needs* to be the 5e update of the artificer. You can't just tweak the math thrust the old artificer into 5e. That's not converting the class, that's just remaking the 3e artificer. A good update should emulate the original but fix its problems. It should start with the concept and create that, not just convert mechanics. The intent should be to make a better artificer.
One of the problems with the artificer was that making full use of it required knowledge of both spells and magic items, especially magic armour and weapon bonuses. That required a metric eff-tonne of system mastery, and use of material in a DM product. Plus it could be broken, as it allowed easy access to situational magic items that were otherwise inoptimal (my favourite example being infusing weapons with ghost touch).
It's significantly easier if those options are spells and/ or class features that imparts a bonus. Replicate the *feel* at the table of the artificer infusing magic into a weapon to make it better without actual just crafting a +1 sword.
Additionally, classes take a LOT of work to do right, requiring balancing and playtesting. Given the effort required, if WotC designs a brand new class, it should be something the majority of players will want in their settings, and something they can use in the Realms and Adventurer's League. But a class that makes permanent magic items breaks the math of 5e and changes the conventions of the game. It's an unnecessary shift.
A 5e artificer shouldn't be shackled to a fifteen-year-old design quirk of a dead edition.
No, but if they're supporting Eberron, they should include the core elements of Eberron. If they prefer not to support Eberron then that's their prerogative.
Do it right, or don't do it at all.
To me, "doing it right" is making a class that takes the concept and hook of the artificer and reinterprets it to work in a different and more elegant way, that feels like the best parts of playing an artificer.