This market is seriously under-served and unappreciated. And in fact it's why Windows 8 will be seen as Microsoft's biggest disaster.
4. I agree and in fact it's why I think today's walled gardens will fail, while the PC will prevail, just like in the console wars of a couple of years ago.
I'm pricing new cars right now and the makers are doing these interactive build-your-car websites where you select every single accessory and option and watch the price go up or down accordingly. Admittedly, Dell has had such a service for years, but preinstalled Windows is usually non-negotiable. Just automate the OS install process (if it isn't already) and let the user shave the $80 off the price if he prefers a free OS rather than a paid OS.
If it was easier to find people would remove windows thinking "why do I need this" - and then call tech support when the computer doesn't work.
A single tech support call eats all the profits of the sale.
1. People don't want barebones systems - they want a fully working computer they turn on and use. People who want a barebones system do it themself, and are not a large market.
2. That just increases costs, and will not increase sales. You want it, obviously. But it won't help the seller.
3. Same as #2 - that doesn't increase sales, and does increase costs.
4. Good luck with that. Microsoft is trying that with secure boot (with hardware support), and people are screaming about it.
5. Gorilla Arm. Assuming you are talking about a PC, it's not practical to use a vertical touch screen.
6. A good suggestion. Market computers the way kitchen appliances are marketed: By how they look, with some discussion of functionality, but looks are paramount.
7. It's nice I guess, but I'm not sure it'll help all that much.