If the hardware is subsidized - can the device then be used for parts? Weren't some game consoles used for computational tasks, as they were quite competitive t

If the hardware is subsidized - can the device then be used for parts? Weren't some game consoles used for computational tasks, as they were quite competitive there? Or I'd assume a company can emerge which would gladly take a fee for removing hardware - and software - limitation of such products; I'm sure the concept of ownership would serve everybody well here?