Depends on the country the computer is being sold in. Microsoft has different pricing structures per country and the OEM selling the computer pays down the line based on sales numbers. That's the main way MS Windows makes money. The price of Windows has always been part of the computer's price. It's a tiny minority of users who pay directly to MS for a windows license. Even businesses prefer the computer to come preinstalled with the OS.

No, you don't get a cheaper computer if windows is cheaper in your country, final numbers are decided at the accounting level, not the point of sale. But, if they don't have to pay MS anything, they can offer a cheaper laptop for you, the end user.

[–] ColdWater@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 days ago

That's still money saved, the less money to M$ the better