I have not had a desktop in decades. It bothered me when I first went to laptop as you just think the solid thing is what you are used to but in not too long, that desktop seemed like an ancient huge old TV for instance, bulky, OLD.
You do know if it is the keyboard or screen, you can use a full sized keyboard or get a huge screen don't you? What is it you prefer about the desktop? If it is those kinds of things, you can add them quite cheaply to the laptop. I use a mouse, a full sized keyboard and have TWO big screens but I often only use one. If one wants it is just the "tower" so to speak as a desktop has but a lot less bulk. It is the computer itself, you can add whatever you like to it.
Right now I am on the laptop keyboard, not a fan. But I spilled water on my last full sized one so now have to go buy another $20 wireless full sized keyboard, but with my injuries, just have not done it yet. So I'm on the smaller laptop keyboard. I can type on it fine, but I prefer the full sized and need to pick up another soon.
I can't think of a thing an old tower computer would offer me any longer. There is just as much if not more memory packed into a laptop these days. I haven't had a tower in probably 20 years...