Linux preinstalled is going to remove a lot of candidates. If you relax your requirements to include known setups/components that work well with Linux then that would help expand your options. The amount that Microsoft gets from the preinstalled license is likely negligible.

Dell offers Ubuntu on some models.

You might get better answers in a Linux community, since that's the focus of your question.

The System76 Pangolin has an AMD APU that's pretty powerful. I have the Ryzen7 model, but the newer ones are Ryzen9. Comes pre-installed with Pop_OS!, but they also provide firmware packages for Arch, Ubuntu, Fedora, and NixOS. I've also tested Nobara and Bazzite on it with good results.

https://system76.com/laptops/pang15/configure

I can play pretty much any game, as long as it runs in Proton normally, with very little FPS issues. Only games that chug are poorly optimized to begin with, but usually dropping the res to 1600x900 with FSR on will fix most issues.

Also, "most economical" is tough these days with the tariffs and all. I got my Pangolin for $1000 shipped, then a few months later the tariffs hit and the price rose to $1500 before shipping.

Lenovo Legion. If you pick a configurable one and remove windows they'll lower the price accordingly (sometimes 100€ for windows pro). Some models offer Linux pre-installed.

What is your budget?

What size do you want?

What screen resolution?

Which GPU?

And if you want warranty, which country are you in?

Tuxedo Computers ship Linux 😀

I'd recommend something AMD if you want fast and stable graphics drivers.

Framework 16?

Definitely something to consider in terms of longevity. User replacable RAM, storage, and battery.

And they've now successfully done the first mainboard and gpu refresh.

Linux would not be pre-installed, but it can be purchased without windows.

PSA: Don’t buy a gaming laptop. They are trash. The plastic case will melt, the wifi card will come loose, the battery will die within minutes. A steam deck is truly your best option.

And never ever buy alienware. Screw them in particular.

Take a look at Slimbook, I've had one for many years and very happy.

I had a good experience with my tuxedo laptop(i have a Tuxedo Sirius 16)

System76 Oryx Pro is a very powerful laptop that fits your requirements, except for price.

I have an older Oryx Pro that I bought second hand, Intel i7 10875H, RTX 2060, 32Gb ram and 2x 1Tb nvme ssds.
Originally came with Pop!_OS but now runs Gentoo.
Performs well in terms of gaming and modelling shit in freecad to send to my 3d printers.

Big downside is fan noise. The moment you do anything requiring the gfx chip the thing get louder than an old 727 on takeoff.