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Mobile and desktop systems really fill two different market niches so its a mistaken idea that the mobile can replace a desktop system. Working on a spreadsheet or taxes on a 3" screen? No thanks.

But it's also a mistake to think that you need a 100W CPU and 250W GPU to do everyday spreadsheets. Look at some of the micro PCs out there and compare them to a high-end smartphone. Why can't you make a "PC" like that with mobile guts? Mostly it's that it doesn't run normal Windows, not any technical reason. Take the Sony Xperia XZ Premium for example, 3840x2160 display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage + SDXC, 8 core (4 high performance) CPU @ 2.45 GHz... does it matter if that 4K display is 5.46" or if it's a 32" monitor? Not really. I mean it wouldn't be a gaming monster. But if all you need is a desktop interface...

OP mentioned that the screens are just showing browser windows. USB-attached displays perform surprisingly well for that, and have the advantage of working with any Windows PC. Here's a video showing 4 displays: https://youtu.be/KKcMqCAYkpk And one showing 14: https://youtu.be/heB94f6FHd8 Full disclosure: I work for the company that made these videos. One important thing to note is the 14 monitor demo was done with a pure USB 2.0 system. Modern USB 3.0 systems have lower limits in terms of how many USB devices can be connected and you may not be able to replicate this total number (we have a warning about this in the description and in a pop-up in the video). Another option based on 'mushero' mentioning an ideal solution would be "My dream would be a quad-HDMI device in Chromebox form factor" is the Zotac Magnus EN970 with quad HDMI outputs -> https://www.zotac.com/us/produ... More expensive per display of course compared to our products and not quite as small as a Chromebox, but it is an option nonetheless and we want you have the best solution for your needs, even if doesn't necessarily include our products. Thanks, Bob Plugable Technologies

I use a Zotac mini PC, mounted on the wall directly behind the TV itself. USB hub zip tied to the unit, with a 2TB 2.5" USB powered HDD, USB connection for the remote IR pickup and USB dual TV tuner. Runs Windows 8 media centre. Job done. No mess. Works perfectly. I use this model: http://www.zotac.com/products/...

Boots from off to fully functional in a few seconds (SSD OS drive). Self records series by itself, the kids can use it, the wife can use it, even the babysitter can use it. Plus it has full Windows, so I can use RDP to do work while the kids eat breakfast.

Zotac GeForce GTX 980 AMP! Omega - http://www.zotac.com/products/...

The Zotac Nano series are small versatile computers that can run linux. I have one as my media centre.

Microsoft somehow has the power to make everyone cripple their implementation of Atom to 2GB or less RAM supported.

My Atom machine has 3 GB currently installed, with a maximum of 4 GB.

Anything with Nvidias ION board can handle high bitrate 1080p movies without dropped frames. Here is a link to the board I used for my XBMC http://pden.zotac.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=169&category_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

The suggested PS may be 400W, but check the actual power usage of the various components. Don't forget, they're also talking a 300W 80+ PSU, not just any 300W PSU. Absolute worst, it'll supply 300*.8=240W. A Core 2 Duo sinks 65W max, the 9800 Eco they reference (which doesn't have a secondary power connection) should be about 66W full-blast (A regular 9800GT is 110W max, so 110*.6=66W), then you have hard drives (~15W each max) the RAM would be maybe 20W at the very high end, a standard DVD drive is about 25... 65+66+15+20+25 is 191W, only 80% of the capacity of the PSU when the machine is running every component full-bore.