We were so close to seeing another gaming handheld ship with Linux out of the box that isn't the Steam Deck, but it seems AYANEO with the AYANEO NEXT LITE weren't convinced enough and so they've changed their minds.
In some cases, forgoing the Windows license actually costs more because all the crapware they pre-install subsidizes the cost of the hardware. It really depends on vendor though. I got a $40 discount by complaining to Lenovo saying I didn’t want their Windows license, but it still came pre-installed (I’m guessing the license was valid too, but I never tried it) because it’s too expensive to change production processes to offer something different.
In some cases, forgoing the Windows license actually costs more because all the crapware they pre-install subsidizes the cost of the hardware. It really depends on vendor though. I got a $40 discount by complaining to Lenovo saying I didn’t want their Windows license, but it still came pre-installed (I’m guessing the license was valid too, but I never tried it) because it’s too expensive to change production processes to offer something different.