Often people run a node somewhere, then connect to it with the remote node feature from other machines. Or use a light wallet.
Cpu use will go down when block chain is synced. Also just a tip - check the prune blockchain feature to save a lot of space.

@prologic@twtxt.net what do you think could help make it more decentralized?

@prologic@twtxt.net Check out GNU Taler. It meets at least some of those goals :)

@shreyan@twtxt.net first time I’ve seen someone mention gnu taler. Been following it since it was announced:) never used for anything other then testing though.