These laptops are also kind of expensive for the specs, they can afford to increase the prices. Entry-level and gaming hardware is probably suffering the most a

These laptops are also kind of expensive for the specs, they can afford to increase the prices. Entry-level and gaming hardware is probably suffering the most as they compete in getting the best specs for cheapest. Niche and premium products sell something else: build quality (StarLabs), repairability/upgradability (Framework), Linux compatibility (System76). You don't buy these if you are just looking at performance/price.