As If the RAM Crisis Wasn't Enough, Microsoft Is Raising the Price on Windows 11
More than anything else, 2026 has been marked by basically every piece of technology getting more expensive. While a lot of the price increases have centered around hardware, Microsoft is now reportedly tightening the screws as well. According to a report from Taiwanese economics outlet Economic Daily News (via PCMag ), Microsoft will be raising its licensing fees for Windows 11 by as much as…
In a strange twist, Microsoft is set to increase the price of Windows 11 by up to 10%. This isn't affecting everyday consumers who buy a PC with a Windows 11 license, but rather Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who sell pre-built computers. The increase isn't uniform, as Microsoft adjusts the license fee based on the computer's processor.
For example, a laptop with an Intel Core i7 chip will pay more than one with a Core i3. While the Windows 11 license doesn't make up the majority of a laptop's cost, the price hike could still add to the growing expense of purchasing a new computer. In 2026, the tech industry is grappling with rising costs, particularly for memory and storage devices.
Microsoft's price increase adds to the list of factors making PCs more expensive in a year already marked by high prices for Steam Machines and console hardware like the Xbox Series X and S.
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