Taiwan-based supply chain makers are telling Digitimes that Microsoft is considering raising license fees for Windows 8. The report does not give a sense of how much of an increase Microsoft is considering but suggests that the move will make it more difficult for ultrabooks to reach a 40% market share of the consumer notebook market.
For its part, Intel is also reluctant to reduce the price of processors for ultrabooks. Instead, it is providing suggestions to manufacturers on ways to reduce the bill of materials (BOM) by using different combinations of hardware components. The processor platform is the most expensive component.
It’s the second time this month that Digitimes has reported Windows 8 license fees are making it difficult for manufacturers to make upcoming devices price-competitive. The previous report indicated that Windows 8 would add between US$90 and US$100 to the cost of a WoA tablet.
Read more: Digitimes