According to @DigiTimes, software giant @Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is considering a shakeup to the way that it charges computer makers for licenses for its Windows operating system. Microsoft is reportedly going to charge computer makers more for #Windows licenses for computers with higher-end specifications -- such as more advanced displays and higher memory configurations -- than for computers with lower-end specifications.
Apparently, this wouldn't be an entirely new way of doing business for Microsoft: DigiTimes claims that beginning in 2017, Microsoft based its Windows licensing fees on the speed grades of the processors in the devices. The new licensing structure would simply be an extension of what the company was already doing.
Let's go over what this will mean for Microsoft and notebook makers.
A likely positive for Microsoft
Although the overall personal-computer market continues to see a decline in unit shipments, there has been an interesting dynamic at play underneath the proverbial covers of the market. Chip-giant Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), which supplies most of the processors that go into Windows-based computers, has seen a steady increase in the average selling prices of its notebook computer processors.
In 2017, for example, Intel reported that notebook processor average selling prices grew 2% year over year. Intel reported a similar year-over-year increase in notebook average selling prices during 2016, as well.
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