I haven’t thought about it in a while but the premise of the article rings true. Desktops are overall disposable. Gpu generations are only really significant with new cpu generations. CPUs are the same with real performance needed a new chipset and motherboard. At that point you are replacing the whole system.
Is there a platform that challenges that trend?
Edit Good points were made. There is a lot to disagree with in the article, especially when focused on gaming.
Storage For the love of your data : storage is a WEAR component. Especially with HDD. Up until recently storage was so cheap it was crazy not to get new drives every few years.
Power Supplies Just because the computer still boots doesn’t mean the power supply is still good. A PSU will continue to shove power into your system long past the ability to provide clean power. Scope and test an older PSU before you put it on a new build.
Honestly most people just upgrade the GPU and ssd, after 10-15 years they buy a new desktop. Also one of the biggest reasons to get a desktop is that it is cheaper than laptops, last longer, and you can change any part that breaks. I had many laptops with one component basically making the entire device useless, if it was a desktop it could easily be fixed, for example soldered RAM.
This isn’t against desktops. It’s against idea that a desktop is significantly more future proof than another form factor.
The previous comment gives a pretty clear argument for why desktops are more future proof, I think. Being more repairable is a pretty big deal for the longevity of the whole system.
Not sure what “future proof” means, but my PC still has its original case from Windows Vista times, has seen 2 mobo replacements, 1 PSU replacement, and I don’t even know how many hard drive / SSD additions / swaps. RAM extensions too. Used to have a GPU but after the 2nd mobo/CPU replacement I dropped it.
Different screens, keyboards, and mice.
None of this would have easily been possible on a laptop.
In a world where hardware is getting more expensive again you are really sending the wrong message here.
Not to speak of environmental impact & consumerism.
Your history sounds exactly like the spiral of component replacement that is being discussed. it sounds like your replaced everything multiple times, but just kept the case.
separately, part by part. if they had a laptop they would have needed to buy at least 6 complete laptops by that time, or more realistically, give up on upgrades.