Or Microsoft puts subtle, legally deniable pressure on the OEMs.
I've never managed to buy the laptop i want without a windows license. Often it's been a PITA to take it off, too, to add insult to extra cost.
In the 90s they threw their hands up and said it was nothing to do with them that this kept on happening and it was all a hare brained conspiracy. Until that memo came out and proved otherwise, of course.
I can't imagine framework getting the decent OEM bulk windows license deals being as avowedly pro linux as they are.
I think if you buy in high enough volume you can buy devices from OEMs without a Windows license. I bought my ThinkPad that way and it cost about $100 less than the version with a Windows license.
I only got this deal over a project that procures hardware for universities and students. They offer a limited amount of models with a price that is about 20 - 30 % lower than retail. I guess big companies that order in the same volume get similar deals.
I would guess it's a combination of Framework not having the same deal the big OEMs are getting, OEM grift, and based on the price, Framework appears to be selling retail Windows licenses rather than OEM licenses.
Framework's loss or they just don't consider it important?