Microsoft will charge personal computer and tablet makers between $50 and $100 per device to license its upcoming Windows 8 operating system, a new report states. Citing unnamed sources at Taiwanese component suppliers, Digitimes on Wednesday reports that Microsoft will charge between $60 and $80 per Windows 8 license, between $80 and $100 per Windows 8 Pro license and between $50 and $65 for each Windows RT license. Earlier reports suggested that Microsoft would charge as much as $85 per device to vendors licensing Windows RT, the company’s stripped down Metro-only version of Windows 8. Digitimes also claimed its sources believe Windows 8 is unlikely to boost PC demand until next year when prices begin to drop. Windows 8 PCs and tablets will begin launching in late October.
