I would describe my progression as being from more smaller computers to fewer nicer computers. For "hyperconvergence", centralized hosting, easier backups, etc

I would describe my progression as being from more smaller computers to fewer nicer computers. For "hyperconvergence", centralized hosting, easier backups, etc. I ironically am kind of the opposite and I see efficiency gains/etc as being very attractive over time for machines I am going to use a lot. Going 9900K in a tower to 5700G in a Mini-Box M300 was revolutionary and a 7800X3D or 8800X3D will blow the doors off that too. But I am not buying a bunch of shitty throwaway raspberry pis etc anymore either. I build good systems that have good cost-value (even if they're older/used/surplus) but target just a higher set of capabilities. Less stuff running is less clutter, less noise, lower power. I would prefer not to step down but stuff that can provide a desktop-experience (meaning 8C+ etc) in a SFF factor is also attractive, as is powerful expansion like TB3/USB4 or Oculink or MCIO. I totally do love retro stuff etc, I am on a minidisc kick right now. And to some extent the ready availability of storage/containers/etc helps that!