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Older Atom Netbooks Might Not Have Windows 7

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

No new OS for the old CPU?

As much as we’re all highly anticipating the introduction of Windows 7, the shiny new OS might not be paired with certain models of netbooks that are running the currently most popular Intel Atom chip--the N270 and N280.

One issue is price. A Windows XP license for netbooks currently costs OEMs around $25 to $30, (of which Microsoft makes a profit of $15). For Windows 7, however, Microsoft is asking $45 to $55, which will drive prices up in an already very price-sensitive segment, according to Digitimes. Vendors are supposedly in talks with Microsoft to push the price down.

With the Atom N270 and N280 being pushed to the ‘budget netbook’ segment with the upcoming release of Pine Trail-based Atom chips (which integrate graphics to increase performance), OEMs figure that Windows XP will be adequate for most netbook purposes.

It’s now expected that OEMs will be pairing Windows 7 with Atom N450-based netbooks. But whatever the case, Windows 7 will slowly replace Windows XP as the new Atom chips take over the netbook build list.

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  • 4
    ta152h , June 13, 2009 8:43 AM
    Actually, there is a cost for selling a license; it's called support. All those folks at Microsoft that talk to you for free for a limited time have to be paid, and they wouldn't need to be paid unless people had licenses. More licenses, more support costs. Of course, Microsoft also has to figure in their development costs, not only in creating the software, but also supporting it with fixes (again, back to the "S" word). Then, they have to deal with legal fees, and fines from the EU, because they are so poor they always need to fine Microsoft so they survive. No licenses, no EU legal fees and fines.

    Selling licenses do have costs. It's not all profit.
  • 3
    witcherx , June 13, 2009 8:37 AM
    i never liked the atom hype.........
  • 3
    Uncle Meat , June 13, 2009 5:57 AM
    Quote:
    A Windows XP license for netbooks currently costs OEMs around $25 to $30, (of which Microsoft makes a profit of $15).


    And the other $10-$15 goes to who, exactly? There's no cost involved in selling a license.
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