The Future: Multimedia PC "Separates"?

I enjoy the high res screen and compact design of my newish Sony VAIO notebook, but the bad news is I have had to send it back to CA TWICE already and the internal wireless card STILL doesnt work.

Despite the resurgance of popularity of integrated amps, one of the reasons audio dealers used to pitch "separates" over receivers was because if your tuner, for example, needed service, you could still use your amp and preamp, or better yet keep a back up around.

Which makes me wonder:

As PCs for audio and home theatre applications get more sophisticated, wouldnt there be advantages to having the hard drive, the processesors, audio and video cards, etc etc in separate chassis?

Or am I missing something?

If this makes sense, I would welcome any thoughts or ideas as I design a multi chassis PC system, using the gorgeous cases recommended by some of you in my other thread.

Thank you.