Don’t miss an active thread: File Syncing - my journey and result.
I personally love having a Desktop. My syncing needs are fulflled by manually moving large files when needed on a big trip. I use iCloud for some small things. When I am away, I am frequently spending time in a location with no WiFi although I can make the effort to go to a library to get some.
I use Backblaze as my “emergency I need that file that I forgot”. Your general question is hard to answer because people’s needs are SO different. On podcasts, I hear a lot about the single computer lifestyle. I write this just to say that there are also Desktop holdouts. And the new MacMini’s (I have an older generation Mac Studio) are attractive. But my Mac Studio is pumped up with LOTS of Ram. For me the vast majoriy of my time is at my Desktop, and I know that when I am there I am getting an optimal experience. My portable can just sit in my backpack.