INDI client/server support

I'm assuming the driver here is cost, rather than function.
PC sticks are coming down in price and when one thinks of the total cost of our equipment with a stick that costs the same as a reasonable eyepiece, I'm struggling to understand why one would spend the effort, when it could be on additional functionality. I know its fun and cool - but given the choice - I would prefer the effort spent on more functions that just the same on an alternative platform.