For me specifically, the setup and config oftentimes is what I'm doing with the computer, the learning and knowledge gained from the practice is what I'm after, which is good because it's significantly less fun than it used to be.
Admittedly mine is probably a non-standard case and it ties in with other things in my life.
What if the life I'm imagining I'm protecting is one where I have the option of choosing a platform/application that isn't scraping the absolute dregs of the barrel to squeeze out that last bit of profit margin.