Windows 8 activation mechanism upgrade ODM and PC manufacturers fight

The Windows 8 operating system will adopt a new activation mechanism, OA 3.0, but it will increase the complexity of the upstream ODM (original design manufacturer) production line while curbing piracy, thereby increasing costs, so ODM Vendors and PC brand makers are making troubles about who will pay for it. Compared with Windows Vista OA 2.0 and Windows 7 OA 2.1, Microsoft plans to pre-install the Windows 8 operating system directly in the PC BIOS through the new OA 3.0, and then let consumers use the key network to activate, and the previously used COA genuine The tag will be completely discarded.

The source pointed out that manufacturers are pre-installed Windows on the hard disk, which is very simple to assemble. It can mass produce thousands of PCs in a short period of time, but if Microsoft changes Windows 8 Installation method, each PC needs to be installed separately, which is naturally very time consuming. Prior to this, the COA label can let the technicians see at a glance that the PC has an operating system installed, and if there is no label, it is easy to repeat the installation, further increasing the cost and reducing the production efficiency, because Microsoft charges according to the number of installations.

In addition, ODMs have to spend more money to train technicians to master new production processes.

According to sources, ODMs believe that Microsoft is doing tricks this time: on the one hand, telling ODMs that the additional cost is the responsibility of the PC brand, and on the other hand, the PC brand manufacturers, these expenses are back in ODM vendors are on the head.

As for who will eventually pay for it, there is no final decision yet, and the two sides are therefore very arguing.