At this point, basically the only reason for a normal person to get a desktop rather than a laptop or a big-screened all-in-one is if they want a big graphics card.

Even that's starting to go away with systems like the Razer Core. The only thing holding back more external enclosures is that most laptop hardware makers haven't embraced the idea yet.

I think all-in-ones are generally still considered desktops.

And they have the disadvantage that when the hardware fails you have to discard the entire device instead of only the part that failed, which is becoming more important as hardware doesn't have to be replaced for being too slow as often anymore. The traditional format also allows you to use the big monitor for multiple devices, e.g. if you have a PC and a laptop dock or a fast PC and a Mac mini for OS X testing etc.

"And they have the disadvantage that when the hardware fails you have to discard the entire device instead of only the part that failed, which is becoming more important as hardware doesn't have to be replaced for being too slow as often anymore. "

BOOM! That and greater hardware customization are where desktops and servers have a benefit at all price ranges.

I do wonder if the licensing cost have been an issue there.

Also, USB-C makes it easier to fit into the design.

I'd definitely be tempted to just dump that computer into a cupboard and remote into it from the laptop

The exception being content creation needing graphics horsepower and for the near future, the requirements from VR headsets like Vive and Rift.