Exactly.
The author's assertion that low cost PCs are often subsidized by bundled application software that is included with a new machine is a weak argument at best.
I am writing this on a Core-Duo PC running XP Pro SP3 that I paid $800 for and it came with zero bundled software.
I have had zero problems with it and would never dream of paying over $2000 for a Mac that isn't going to perform any better or do any more for me than this machine does.
"It's all about the Benjamins" has to be sitting right at the top of any list of reasons why people eschew Macs.
Except that it's true for most OEMs. Not long ago Sony offered to ship its computers without all the crapware, but was going to charge IIRC $25 to do it. Public outrage had them pull the extra fee. It's widely known that most OEMs subsidize costs through crapware.