My understanding is that the big problem is that the pre-loaded crapware on a Windows PC pays more than Windows costs (in bulk license deals for resellers). In that case just selling it with a wiped disk would be more expensive, not less.
My point above, however, was that I might not be paying extra - the crapware pushers might be subsidizing my linux box (with an extraneous tithe to MS).
Sure, comparing retail price in China to the west usually has China being lower. However, most savvy buyers in the west buy their laptops from deals or outlet and with endless coupons. I haven't found either Dell's or Lenovo's outlet in China yet. Do they exist in China?
Indirectly, I have a somewhat larger problem because it leads to things like fewer cheap Linux laptops available.