Well, to be fair, all major console manufacturers have followed that route, recouping the cost in software sales. Furthermore, Microsoft can afford to make a loss on hardware, given the vast amounts of wealth they have at their disposal.
I really don't think it's a reasonable comparison here. Unless Trevor is a massively minted eccentric, I just don't see that model working here.
Fair call.
One model that has worked well is having one place to shop for all of one company's products along with other avenues. Dell, Apple for example. One marketing strategy for the whole range. From entry level, intermediate to professional. Take Apple, for example, Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Pro.
I manage a music instrument retail store and we have that philosophy across our range. "First guitar", next guitar, professional and so on through all product categories.
Currently, Amiga products are sourced from all over the place, even new products - unless I am missing something. Where is the Amiga store? A-eon produce one new model and create a whole company/site for it. I don't get that. Then again, I am not running any companies hehe