And lo! You called it! About 2012 is when the phrase "good enough computing" starts to show up in the popular press. Once most people had adequate tools, it was hard to get them to buy new ones.

FWIW, I bought my "new" machine from a used Crac dealer, and it's been OK. The case is kinda banged up, but it works. The only part of it that's newer is the graphics card, because I like my glitzy games. :)