Furthermore, the guy who doesn't need a new computer is probably going to be writing the paragraphs on company time, so he'd do it if he has nothing to do and needs to look busy. (I think it's safe to assume that the sort of place where you need 4 paragraphs to justify a new computer would also require for employees to look busy at all times.)
Why is everyone trying so hard to find purpose in broken administrative processes? There's usually none and, if there is its usually so hideous that it can't be put into writing.
Broken processes persist when they're benefiting someone somehow. If you can't figure out who's benefiting from a crap process, good luck trying to fix it or change it.
But broken vestiges of long forgotten and obsoleted requirements can persist for a very long time.
Besides, inthe now wether someting will persist is mostly irrelevant for the immediate subjection to the process.