bundled crapware and the Windows monopoly

I think we agree that people do buy cheaper things that cost them more in the long run: that's the very nature of a false economy. Once the product is in the hands of the customer who then struggles with crapware (after all, there's a reason why it is known as crapware and it isn't because Armitage Shanks has put it there), the vendor's objectives are to minimise support costs (by hopefully building the product just good enough to not fail during the warranty period) and to encourage the customer to spend money with them again.

(These days, the way that people can be tricked into buying a new product to replace a broken old product and still be made to feel that they're treating themselves, when they should really be angry with the manufacturer and vow never to give money to them again, is perhaps one of the crowning achievements of those who have defined our "consumer culture".)

As for the revenue-generating opportunity, we definitely have our wires crossed: by "just another opportunity" I meant that it's yet another way for people to make money from a poorly made or optimised product, not that it has no other purpose or value for the vendor.