ECC is essential indeed for any computer. But the laptop situation is truly dire, while it's possible to find some NAS with ECC support.
Most computers don't have ECC. So it might be essential in theory but in practice things work fine without (for standard personal, even work, use cases).
Most computers don't have ECC. So it might be essential in theory but in practice things work fine without (for standard personal, even work, use cases).