I had figured that would be the case this time as well. There is no way Microsoft will let their OEMs off their leash if they can help it. At first I thought there was no way any Windows OEM would be allowed, SteamOS on their handheld officially supported, or even sold that way. But I learned recently, at BUILD 2014, Microsoft made Windows free for devices with screens 8" or less, mostly IoT. I think that would count for these handhelds as well. So I think this time will be different.
The way I understand the contracts you are mentioning, the deal is, they have to sell a Windows license with every PC they sell. When a company like Dell or Lenovo sell machines with Linux, it’s usually in the 10,000 range, (at least that I can tell) which is something Dell or Lenovo can eat the cost of. Plus, most of the machines go to companies that already have Volume Licensing deals already, so basically the Windows Tax is paid for in some way already.
But I think this time will be different because there will be a ramp up of devices and competition in the handheld space where there is no Windows Tax required. Valve will surely release a Steam Console and that will probably become the new PS2/DVD player that everybody buys. When people are buying consoles instead of PCs, OEMs are already spending engineering dollars on Linux for the handheld market, and 3rd party software and devices are suddenly competing in the Linux space. It’s a stretch, but I really think SteamOS is breaking the grip of Microsoft’s vendor lock’in strategy and we are just seeing the very beginning stages with Windows OEMs officially supporting SteamOS.
Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 4 days ago
I hadn’t heard of free windows for smaller screen devices, but from reading on it I think it only applies to phones/tablets/IoT devices. I’m guessing handheld PCs would be excluded from that discount.
From reading on how Windows licenses are priced before, there’s also usually variable rate license pricing depending on the “power” of the device, with more powerful devices having to pay a larger OEM license fee. With handheld PCs being gaming focused devices, I would assume that means Microsoft is charging more per license than the base rate.
highball@lemmy.world 3 days ago
I believe you. I know I’m stretching it here. Only because it’s just not like Microsoft to allow their OEMs off the leash. It’s not unlike Microsoft to bring the full force and weight of the legal system down on their partners. And we definitely know Microsoft wouldn’t hesitate to tie another company up in court just the for the sake of draining them of their operating cash. I’m just thinking, maybe there is a way that these handhelds fit into the free Microsoft licensing. I mean, knowing Microsoft is just going to crack the whip, why even spend the engineering dollars supporting Linux hardware in the first place. Maybe to give them leverage against Microsoft I guess.