Why don't laptop manufacturers deliver models with Linux?
I presume the problem is that users cause support costs?
Or that Linux and App updates cause costs?
Windows users have many support issues, however the users don't blame the laptop manufacturer?
I guess Chromebooks serve that market. And Google allow Linux installs on Chromebooks (helps attack Windows instalbase, but too little)
Dell offers several models with Ubuntu. Other smaller manufacturers also support linux, for example Framework and System76. A tiny minority to be sure.
Microsoft's EOL for Win10 means a lot of people are either going to e-waste their old laptop or just run without patches if they can't afford new hardware.
I'm actively helping people convert to Ubuntu if they want to give it a try. Their computer is effectively EOL so the risk is quite low. Especially when you can save several hundred or thousand dollars on a new box. The risk/value ratio is properly aligned. It's different to try out a new OS on new hardware - too much risk for your average user.
Yeah. I bought an expensive XPS since I couldn't get a Toshiba any more. I have always disliked Dell consumer product engineering but it was the best choice for Linux at the time. Unfortunately it eventually got flickering vertical pixel wide lines on the 4k screen (looked like a hardware issue - but might have been drivers). I had hoped they had fixed the transformer squeel mentioned as an issue on the older models: however the fucking thing squeeks with load (Dell didn't listen to user complaints, and didn't fix the problem).
I disabled sleep and hibernation because it never worked well (hot laptop in bag or flat battery).
On purchase I felt I needed to install a WiFi module with better Linux support (even though that interferes with warrantee?).
Admittedly Dell had superb ongoing Linux support for updating the BIOS - I would worry about that issue with other brands.
However I suspect overall I would never buy another Dell again.
I would help friends install Linux, however most of my friends either get a laptop through work or they have Macs.
The older XPS 15 were very solid (for a PC, still no where near a Mac)and they absolutely destroyed them. Complete garbage now, and at MBP price point too! They really lost their way.