It's Not Just RAM: Windows Licenses Are Also Pushing Up PC Prices

It's not just the price of RAM that's causing PC prices to soar, according to CNET. Reports indicate that the cost of Windows licenses for manufacturers is increasing by up to 10%. Several websites specializing in Microsoft news, such as Windows Central and Windows Latest, have reported on a statement from Taiwan's Economic Daily News.

This statement claims that PC manufacturers are experiencing a 7% to 10% rise in the cost of Windows 11 licenses. Manufacturers often purchase licenses in bulk, which allows them to obtain a significant discount compared to what consumers would pay for a new copy of Windows 11. However, given the existing cost pressures from other components, a substantial increase in the Windows 11 price could potentially lead manufacturers to pass some of this added cost onto consumers.

According to the Economic Daily News report, PC makers might raise prices by approximately 5% over the following quarter due to this supposed Windows price hike. A translated version of the Economic Daily News article presents information from an unnamed representative of a PC brand. They state that while Microsoft typically raises licensing costs by single-digit percentages each year, the hike in 2021 has reached 7% to 10%, which is a considerable increase.

Microsoft did not respond to the report for comment, according to the article. However, the report also mentions that laptop manufacturer Framework attributed some price hikes and reconfigurations of their models to processor, memory, storage, and other silicon costs, as well as an increase in Windows license costs.