[tomjen3]

Our error was to assume that the general person had a need for computation, when all they have a need for is information and communication. Sure in the 90's they brought newer faster computers but back then those newer computers were much better, and some people will buy the iPhone Max Pro when they don't need it, because it is the best/biggest and they are buying a status symbol. I am sure some of the upgrades back then where for the same reason.

For information, you can bring your phone with you everywhere but it is hard to do so with a laptop, so a phone wins. Phones are also easy to use for calls/messages and video, where the camera is actually better than anything available on a laptop.

A few people might want to balance their budgets, but it is also pretty easy to do on your phone, as your bank probably has an app that you can use and if not, your phone is plenty fast to do that.

Gamers might be the last who cares about the more powerful computers, but even then dedicated gamer phones exist, so maybe that niche is also slowly aging out as new gamers grew up with phones.

If you want some sort of solution, I think having a really good Linux build that works and which can be deployed on laptops in the moment a person gets too tired of windows is always a solid idea.