You have a point in that OS is not indeed a car. Analogies are flawed by their very nature ( they are like something are open to interpretation ). It is not, however, just a question of OS. It is just happens to be a sticking point to me. If we are talking expenses, it is a laptop, which, cost-wise, can vary somewhat.

Admittedly, mid-range stuff won't go past 2k if that.

I mean if your issue is the budget for the laptop that’s an entirely different and totally reasonable matter.