it makes even more sense for the desktop than for servers. servers do not often un/mount stuff, often services are just a few and long running, and certainly no usb stuff which is running around.

but the desktop is and will be a sprawling mess of components, look also too windows and mac. because nothing is totally certain, and something has to take care of it.

what is your argument that systemd is not made for the desktop? and split dns can also occur in server systems which are public but have a virtual "inner" network.

and my split dns works, so.. perhaps either your configuration sucks or the software is just not working at the desktop that seemlessly, but that will come. but it takes time.