Re:Get your Windows license refund
by fwipsy on Friday August 28, 2026 @11:35AM
(#49480106)
You can get a new Windows 11 laptop on Amazon for ~$200. If they're paying retail cost ($140) for the license, over half that is going to Microsoft. I think most people would much rather buy the equivalent Chromebook for $70. In fact, the equivalent Chromebook costs about the same.
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Retail licenses are transferrable, OEM/OEI licenses aren't and are tied to that specific hardware.
Win 11 Pro OEI, $149
https://www.microcenter.com/product/643566/microsoft-windows...
Win 11 Pro Retail/FPP, $199
https://www.microcenter.com/product/669901/microsoft-windows...
I'm certain OEMs are getting volume discounts, and Microcenter is adding their own margin as well.
Re:Get your Windows license refund
by yepyeppers on Friday August 28, 2026 @01:05PM
(#49481523)
That’s not how OEM pricing works. Depending on the retail price and volume Microsoft will lower license cost close to $0. No large manufacturer is paying $140 to license Windows for a notebook selling $200. That’s the full retail price for a consumer building their own PC. That said usable Windows notebooks are usually a bit more than that these days. And just the RAM alone to run usable Windows 11 is pushing $70 now.
That is exactly the point of the comment you're responding to. "Why do you assume that [OEMs pay much less than retail]?" Well, $200 Windows laptops exist, and $140 of that going to a Windows license is not a credible idea.