Viewing that Windows 8 has fallen short of expectations in driving demand mainly because Windows 8 notebooks and tablets are too expensive, Microsoft will lower OEM licensing costs by offering a discount of US$20 for 11.6-inch and below notebooks that are equipped with touch screens, according to Taiwan-based vendors and ODMs.

For below 10.8-inch notebooks, tablets and hybrids, Microsoft will offer the US$20 discount plus free Office 2013 software, the sources indicated. OEM licensing rates for Windows 8 Pro stand at US$80-90 currently, the sources noted.

The discount will be available beginning April-May, the sources indicated. Retail prices for 11.6-inch touchscreen Windows 8 notebooks are expected to be reduced beginning June to reflect the discount, the sources pointed out. For below 10.8-inch models, Acer and Asustek Computer are expected to benefit from the discount by clearing inventories of 10-inch netbooks and possibly continuing small-volume shipments to markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Spain, the sources indicated.