At least for someone technical, wouldn't it make sense when buying a laptop to also buy a full copy of the OS (Windows) and do a full reformat/install, as SOP?

When I bought the HP Pavilion sitting in front of me my first act was to wipe it and install Linux. I know, huge cost difference between that and installing a paid-for Windows.

I think vendors can, or maybe are required, to spot you the small cost of the installed OS if you aren't going to use it.