Does the pre-installed software on the purchased computer include Windows Vista, and is that something you actually need?

That’s exactly the point, most of them are sold in stores.

No, most Windows laptops are pre-configured at the factory, meaning that Asus, HP, Acer, Toshiba, and who knows who else install Windows themselves at the factory because they have contracts with Microsoft. However, any hardware manufacturer reserves the right for the customer to refuse the pre-installed software.

Actually, Almaty is almost on par with Moscow in terms of development. For example, the largest internet cafe in the CafeMax chain is located in the center of Almaty.

Maybe. I’ve never been to either place. But I doubt I would travel 1200 versts just to assemble a laptop there. And, in general, this isn’t about me. People who work professionally in this field will figure it out one way or another. Why can’t an ordinary person come to a store, choose a laptop they like, just because, for example, “this pink one,” and it’s not available anywhere without Vista, but it’s on display, and the person wants exactly “this pink one”? Why can’t they say to the service department of the same store, “remove Vista, I won’t buy it, and install XP, I’ll pay for it”? The point is that an ordinary person has the right to do so. Because, according to Russian law, software and hardware are absolutely independent products and cannot be sold as an inseparable package. So, the problem is not with the software and hardware manufacturers, but more often with the violation of consumer rights and the law by the seller. I haven’t looked at Kazakh laws yet; I need to check them.

I don’t believe that they don’t assemble computers there. KC “KEY” is just a regular distributor with a service center. There are tons of them in any country.

They do assemble computers. I haven’t bought anything other than components. But they assemble only desktops, not laptops. I haven’t seen laptop assembly here. But that’s not the point, because in this context, handmade is not a solution, it’s a workaround.