Re: Question to Supplier of hardware...
"Windows 7 Professional laptop, on Dell's website, today"
You can. But aren't you, when you look at the small print, actually buying a laptop with 8.1 Pro and using your downgrade rights to have it installed with Windows 7.
eg this little tidbit from the customiser on the Dell website
"Windows 7 Professional (64Bit Windows 8.1 License, Media)- English, ....[Included in Price]"