> as I can tell most customers aren't willing to spend more money on a model with an excellent touchpad so it's not surprising that most manufacturers don't bother adding them except possibly on their premium lines.

Of course, I don't think anyone would expect an Apple level touchpad on a budget Windows laptop. But they don't even seem to be on premium Windows laptops.

You're probably right that premium Windows laptops are a super niche market so there isn't much incentive for touchpad manufacturers to cater to it. That's one huge advantage Apple has. If they want a product that no manufacturers want to make, they can just make it themselves.