While no official numbers are known for Windows XP Starter, in May 2005 PC makers said they were paying between $15 to $35 for each copy, and in April 2009 it was speculated that Microsoft was actually charging under $15 per copy. Note that there is no 'netbook version' of Windows 7 the article is likely referring to the cheapest edition that will be primarily offered on netbooks: Windows 7 Starter.

The first-tier notebook vendors are still negotiating with Microsoft hoping to bring the price down. The current price of Windows XP OEM version is only around US$25-30, but the latest quotes from Microsoft for the netbook version of Windows 7 is around US$45-55 and therefore first-tier vendors are unable to transfer the cost to the netbooks' sales price due to the fierce competition. Citing 'industry sources,' DigiTimes reports that the XP to 7 transition for these computers won't be so easy: Windows 7 Starter will not be sold at retail: it will be sold directly to OEMs, which will then include it on low-end computers like netbooks. It will be very important for PC manufacturers to offer Windows 7 without increasing the price significantly. We noted that this was excellent news for netbook customers who want Windows 7, but the biggest aspect (price) was still yet to be unveiled. Last month we learned that Microsoft was dropping the three-application limit for Windows 7 Starter.

Windows 7 starter edition oem