Re:their loss (Score 1)

Maybe this is obvious to most people, but I think their strategy is establish themselves as mainstream as possible in foriegn markets ie outside of China. Windows is unforunately the norm (for non Apple computers); it's not associated with China and something unknown. Once they've established being a normal laptop manufacture, they can exploit their Chinese inexpensive production base (and Chinese gov't connections) to undercut other brands in foreign markets. Secondly, since Chinese companies are often associated with software piracy, it's easy to see how bundling windows will help them avoid accustations of assisting piracy and keep them in the clear for exporting their products. Without a 'paid for' OS and perhaps legal assistance from MS, they would be a far easier target for tariffs, import restrictions and negative press.