I think everything depends on circumstances.

I've used laptops for 15+ years (transitioned from a Mac Cube to a white Macbook. Macbook Pro etc.) but have migrated to a desktop some years ago (first iMac Pro, now AMD), as I work at my desk and when I'm not at my desk I'm not working.

Some years ago I got a 3900X and a 2080TI. And they still work fine, and I don't have performance problems, and although I thought of getting PCI5/NVMe with a 9950x3d/395+ (or a Threadripper), I just don't need it. I've upgraded the SSDs several times for speed and capacity (now at the PCI4/M2 limit and don't want to go into RAID), and added solar panels and a battery pack for energy usage, but I'm fine otherwise.

Indeed I want to buy a new CPU and GPU, but I don't find enough reasons (though might get a Mac Studio for local AI).

But I understand your point if you need a laptop, I just decided I no longer need one, and get more power with faster compiling for less money.