While I do not know the context of that discussion, how is he asking for it? How many people do you know that own a smartphone? Compare that to how many you know that frequently use a desktop. More and more people are using smartphones for the basic web functions that nullify the use of a clunky, space wasting desktop. The justification of having a desktop these days is mostly for gaming or higher performance computing. You can have word processing, email, most of the functions that typical business minded people use, all online with google docs, gmail, etc. just for an example.
Desktops are:
* Cheaper
* Longer lasting
* Outdated about 10x slower
* Don't require a contract
* Faster
* More flexible
* More upgradable
* Able to run good games
To name a few.
To be fair, smartphones are:
* Portable and convenient
* Flashy
* Easier to communicate with
* Able to do most web-based activities anywhere
* More flexible with payments
But it doesn't justify it for me.