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 2 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.