I know how to convert a laptop from Win to Mint, I have done so a few times to get a bit more life out of machines that have become glacially slow, like windows machines always do. I object to buying a high spec machine and throwing the OS away, must be a way to avoid paying for an OS which is not wanted up front. I tried the usual places such as Overclockers, who used to build really fast laptop machines for gamers and Scan Computers who provided all of the parts for my Core i7 desktop machine 11 years ago. It still does the job as fast as is needed, it has had zero hardware upgrades since 2012. It is fine but not really convenient for carting about to do promo presentations.
Neither company could supply. They went as far as trying to convince me that nobody will sell me a machine without Windows pre-installed...... They told me the same when I bought my desktop machine as a kit of parts.
Just came across laptopwithlinux.com who do what it says on the tin. Laptops with or without Linux installed. Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Rans6.......