go overboard on what they need. I have two computers.. a desktop and a laptop. My desktop is powerful because that's the one I edit video on... so top of the line processor, lots of RAM (you're right, this probably makes the biggest difference), and SSD's both internal and external. it always holds my media - music, movies, etc, from which I home share to my much less powerful laptop.
Most people I know LOVE pads..... I hate them.

Actually... most people I know today use their phones as their computer.... which I detest with a passion.

BUT... it's amazing what you can do on a phone. Well.. they can, not me. My bent and broken fingers from a lifetime farming are not compatible with a phone.