> Selling more hardware is usually good for a hardware manufacturer. So is having fewer people returning their equipment because it doesn't work.

It all depends of the ROI. In hardware the economy at scale is at play, and it doesn't go well with niches.

> Most kernel developers would be ecstatic just with proper documentation of the hardware being sold.

I agree. That's mostly a matter of culture. Many companies won't publish docs, because they are either afraid of competition, pirating, or looking stupid.