Another thing that you don’t need is 2 computers (desktop + laptop). Yes, cloud made maintaining 2 PCs so much easier, but it still means maintaining 2 PCs. It also means spending money on 2 PCs. You may say that you are doing stuff on your powerful desktop that a shiny ultrabook can’t handle, and I believe you. But why do you need that ultrabook then? Sounds like you can get by with your desktop + an iPad.

Now, you may agree with me on 1 PC statement, but you may still maintain that it should be a “traditional” laptop. Considering that you are sitting at the same desk day over day, let me ask you this: do you dock it and use external peripherals (monitor(s), keyboard, mouse)? You definitely should!

Having an external monitor improves your productivity and posture. A proper full size keyboard with wrist rest improves your productivity again, as well as helps prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. And mouse is still more precise and faster pointing device than even the best touchpad.

I hope you’ve docked your laptop by now. Now what’s the keyboard part of it doing on your desk? That’s right — taking precious desk space and collecting dust. Unclip it and put in a drawer. What’s that? You can’t? That’s what I thought.

Surface Pro 3/4 is perfection (at least from the form factor standpoint)

Back in 2012 I envisioned my perfect PC setup. And 2 years later it arrived in the form of Surface Pro 3. First Surface Pros (1&2) were steps in the right direction, but the screen was too small, they were bulky and there was no "native" dock.

When SP3 arrived it had it all — a screen that is usable on its own, a very nice dock to prop it in on your desk (not a fan of the SP4/Surface Book dock, btw) and a variable angle kickstand that makes it usable in various situations.

I’m writing this semi-laying on the sofa and I would argue that SP3 is more comfortable in this position than a “proper” laptop.

Is it a better laptop than the best “traditional” ones? Probably not. But we’ve already established that you don’t need a laptop, remember? And it’s a better desktop for sure.