1) I have 2 "big big" 4K monitors hooked up to my laptop so no problems here. The laptop's monitor is not used as the lid is closed.
2/3) I use external keyboard and mouse. No problems here
4) I have 2TB worth of SSD in laptop and I also have huge external drives array.
5) Said laptop is sitting on my shelf, I do not even see it. On my desk are 2 huge monitors on arms with VESA mounts and wireless keyboard/mouse. Said laptop is also running NOMACHINE so I can also access my few worktations and servers without lifting my butt.
6) I have external optical drive but frankly I do not recall single time in a last 3 years when I had to actually activate it.
7) I have 2 external 10 port USB 3.0 hubs hooked up to 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 port of said laptop. Again no problem in this department.
8) Yep. Desktop is much better in this department.
9) Not my desktops ;) They're server/workstation type.
10) This is how I build my "desktops". No argument here.
11) I do not know what to say about it.