The other choice would be to actually manufacture different product lines with different hardware, which would 1. increase costs, and 2. prevent the user from b

The other choice would be to actually manufacture different product lines with different hardware, which would 1. increase costs, and 2. prevent the user from being able to upgrade via software, and have to buy completely new hardware. From a business, consumer, and environmental point of view, unlocking via software seems the superior solution.