Or maybe his work/life situation is different than you imagine? I’ve been working as a solo freelancer for the past 10 years and for the majority of that time I used a laptop connected to external monitor as my primary machine.

You get all the benefits of a desktop environment plus the convenience of being able to work remotely and carry your machine with you when needed.

I don’t have a company telling me to work from an airport. And as for ergonomics, you don’t get those with a desktop machine either when moving so I don’t see what different does that make.

A laptop offers you options. That’s why for some people is appealing.