Author can’t seem to understand that Valve’s the only company that can properly do the console-style “subsidize hardware cost based on the cut you’ll get from selling the games”

I disagree on Valve being the only company. I don’t think your traditional PC hardware companies could pull it off, however I think a company that has an successful enough online store could do it. Microsoft could do it If they wanted to. They might already be in that path as the Xbox becomes more PC like. It wouldn’t surprise me if there was an option to buy Windows for the Xbox.

Also depending on your definition of PC, love them or hate them but Apple potentially could do something like that. However I would be very surprised as Apple isn’t in the business if subsided cost on hardware lol.

Epic or Amazon also come to mind.