There is no reason for them to do so. They aren't selling software that only works on their device. They have no interest.
The cost only became an issue because of current market conditions. So yes if have the ability to build your own pc then do it.!
People who are surprised or upset about the price are NPCs. The cost of building your own PC has gone up, the price of PS5, Nintendo, Xbox all went up too.
^ 100%
The 4TB m2 drive I bought for $199 eight months ago is now $730.
They are selling a "PC" that is "Built for gaming". Simple as that. They don't really care if you use their OS. They are not making a xbox or playstation.
They are trying to force game companies to build on Linux and dump Micro$hit because of their plans to turn every single "Windows based game" into an app you had to buy directly from a M$ controlled app store.
The delivery platform is their profit. Not making games. Without the platform they die and if M$ forces all games to be sold in the piece of shit M$ app store then all game dev's basically fall.
I don't think it matters that much for them tbh. The first steam machines failed and it didn't effect them at all. They already own the PC gaming platform business. If they could capture some of the platformers with this than win for them, it's all gravy. If it fails, they lose nothing, reputation perhaps.
They do have good Linux support I heard. The handheld they sell has done well and it is based on that OS.
Micro$hit has gotten worse and worse over the years. They are now trying to turn Windows11 into a xbox. They even stated that themselves.
EEE is alive and well. I would rather be on the Valve side than the M$ side of that bullshit.