I can think of several gimmicks for the movies Laserbeak opened. 1. Multi-form changers - Laserbeak demonstrated he can change to several devices. 2. Beast Transformers - Laserbeak has a robot mode with LaserBee. 3. Spy/Shifter - Laserbee opens the possibility of a spy like Punch/Counter Punch and Double Dealer or like Prime's Makeshift which is a robot Zartan.
Is laserbee another bee repaint? HASBLOW DO IT RITE! Technically, there were multichangers/multiple alt-modes before in the films, ROTF Megatron for one, Bumblebee for another (in the novelization prequel to the first film he also cycles his alt-modes more frequently). Ravage in ROTF was both a beastformer and a spy/infiltrator, as well, so I'm not sure how Laserbeak would be breaking new ground in that regard, as was the "Wasp" Decepticon in ROTF. I liked Laserbeak in DOTM, but I don't agree with him being as original as you say.
I'm talking about the films as nobody would take seriously the other media as canon. Megatron in my opinion is not a triple changer as his alt mode is a tank with wings. Barricade is almost the precursor of Stealth Force as he has those pieces at his grill and he was supposed to be firing missiles from his hood. The later had props ready. As for Bumblebee he constantly reformats his alt modes in the movies going through several yellow Mustangs. His robot modes kibble change accordingly.
And Laserbeak chooses office electronics (and a tv screen, which most offices have these days) and a pink mini-bee. It's the same principle, just used more freqeuently and in a different way. I do not count that as groundbreaking.
It's what people call the pink bumblebee like disguise Laserbeak used when he went over to the little girls house when looking for her daddy.
Silly Autovolt, laserbees are bees equipped with lasers No but seriously, that psychotic monster turning into a cute lil' Bee to sneak into someone's house to murder them is disturbing/terrifying as heck.