Just because it has a restriction built in doesn't necessarily mean it comes with an EULA, or that finding a way to enable or otherwise modify the hardware to y

Just because it has a restriction built in doesn't necessarily mean it comes with an EULA, or that finding a way to enable or otherwise modify the hardware to your whim is illegal in any way (although I'm sure Intel would take a run at the first grey-market unlocks) As long as they are up front about the cost & features of the product I'm buying I don't care. As a consumer, I don't like this practice, it smells bad - but it's supply and demand. Intel can price their chips however they want, it's up to them to price them in a way that's the most profitable for them - it's not like they have no competition.