[mmichaels1970]

You know you can use a mouse with a laptop and a full keyboard as well.

You can even connect a monitor via HDMI cable to the laptop creating a "virtual" desktop. Wireless Mouse, Wireless Keyboard, Monitor via HDMI and you're all set. You can tweak the laptop to do nothing when the lid is closed and it will REALLY look like a desktop. Or you can leave your laptop open and take advantage of dual monitors.

As long as you're not a gamer, you'll have everything you need and you can pick up your "desktop" and travel with it.

Laptop also basically provides you with a 2-3 hour battery backup in case of power failure.

Unless you need raw power, I don't see why a $500 (or less) laptop wouldn't do the job.

[Does so]

I've got a full-size keyboard, a mouse, and a 15-inch Inspiron laptop on top of a cardboard box. It's raised six inches, so my eyes are leveled—to improve my posture.

Chromebooks are cheap.