Why can't I buy a Latitude without a company?

I have just discovered that Dell has a very strict demarcation b/n
their so called business line of computers and those for home users. I
tried to buy a Latitude for a friend but got stopped by Dell's need for
company account etc.

What's Dell's thinking in making this demarcation? It's crazy isn't it?
I don't need those fancy and colorful covering on a laptop, but just a
robust machine.

I am aware that I can pick up a Latitude from eBay and other source.
But it's a slightly more risky route.

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