It's not about paying for Windows, usually it's included in the device you buy. The real reason why Linux helps broke people is because bloated Windows can't run on the budget PCs they have (and they can't just buy a faster computer)
I mean you pay for Windows on preinstalled computers, too. There are Laptops sold without OS and they are cheaper than the same model with windows installed.
I get what you mean. I just cant wrap my head around how many people buy windows without even realizing it and think they get it for free or some stuff
I think the point is you can put a fully updated new Linux on a decade old ThinkPad but with windows you'd need to buy a whole new laptop to run modern stuff also it would be unusably slow