While i agree with you, unfortunately Chromebook gaining popularity on low-end/cheap laptop category. Although unlike Android, some chromebook currently let you install different OS with no or little hurdle.
I can (unfortunately) confirm this. Chromebooks are already being issued to our primary school pupils and used in lessons. The children learn to work with these systems right from the start and therefore don't even know how limited the devices actually are. However, I have not noticed any (excessive) advertising on the Chromebooks, no. It was very different with a Windows 11 computer that I recently had to repair. These adverts come across very obtrusively as "tips" or "suggested apps" and tempt inexperienced users to click ... and to buy:
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Thanks for the clarification @philipma1957 (unfortunately, I am out of sMerits 
), that's actually not as tragic as I would have expected - even though my country is among the top countries you mentioned - unfortunately.