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Microsoft offers OEMs bloatware discount for bundling Office 2010 Starter
Take a look at the image above. Microsoft wants OEMs to preload Office 2010 (most big companies like Dell, HP, Acer, Toshiba, etc. already do this). However, instead of using a free 60-day trial like they did with Office 2007, Microsoft wants those same OEMs to pony up for Office Starter.
If they're willing to tack on the added bloat of the Bing Bar and Live Essentials, it'll only cost them $2 per PC -- otherwise, it's $5. That doesn't seem like much, but you're talking about millions of new PCs over the next three or four years (likely how long it will be until Office 2010 is replaced).
OEMs, maybe it's time to look at alternatives. Maybe drop some shortcuts to Google Docs or Zoho on your systems instead. Or heck, you could even point them to Microsoft's own Docs.com!
This sure is strange behavior -- considering Microsoft removes all the bloatware from computers they sell in their retail stores. You may now begin complaining about cash grabs and bullying.
[viz ZDnet]
Comments
11
Subscribe to comments216May 11th 2010 10:01AM
I think its good to include Windows Live Essentials along with Office Starter, but the Bing Bar is a negative
patrickanthonyolsonMay 11th 2010 10:41AM
There's this little button called uninstall DS... I don't see any bitching articles on Google Chrome being included in DIVX software...
You guys need to tone down on the MS hate, its starting to look like fox news in here.
Lee MathewsMay 11th 2010 10:14AM
So you don't personally see anything two-faced about them stripping bloat from the machines they sell in their own PCs and then backing OEMs into a corner with Office Starter?
No one here hates Microsoft, despite what you'd obviously like to believe. This PRACTICE is not a good one.
And you're right, the Chrome thing does suck, but I believe that has everything to do with the DiVX folks and nothing to do with Google.
Mike B.May 11th 2010 12:48PM
@ Lee
I find nothing two-faced about it. The bing bar, maybe, but WLE should come on every new PC anyway. No one complains about new Macs coming with iLife & iChat, which is essentially what Windows Live Essentials is. I haven't used the Bing Bar so I don't know what the point of it is, could just make Bing the default search for IE (which I think it is). But overall, MS makes some quality stuff that is essential, unlike the bloatware that really is bloatware, this makes it comparable to the Mac OOBE.
Drew GreenMay 11th 2010 10:12AM
I wish there was a checkbox on all OEM order pages to have the PC arrive with just the OS, drivers, and whatever additional software you've purchased (Acrobat, Office, antivirus, etc). It'd be nice if machines arrived clean so they'd run like new, not like they've been infected.
burnblueMay 11th 2010 10:47AM
"OEMs, maybe it's time to look at alternatives. Maybe drop some shortcuts to Google Docs or Zoho on your systems instead"
Why? Isn't the money from Microsoft as good as Google's money?
As for "backing OEMs into a corner with Office Starter", no-one is being backed anywhere. They're being offered discounts. At least Office Starter is completely free and not some 60 day trial
JordanMay 11th 2010 10:57AM
So from what I understand, $5 dollars to include Office starter without the bing bar or live essentials. Ummm...yes please?
Pass that 5 dollar cost on the consumer, which we know will happen, and the end consumer will no doubt have no problems paying 5 dollars to have a version of office on their computer. The average home consumer just needs to type something, if office starter can supply that, 5 dollars is a huge win for them.
Now, if all that is true, why look to alternatives again?
patrickanthonyolsonMay 11th 2010 11:22AM
Its just a question a choice in the end. More constructively it would be best to have one with the option of having all additional Google or Microsoft software omitted at the user's request upon purchase.
However to claim MS is bullying its way and claim it strange behavior... Last I checked Google is king when it comes to this type of behavior, you really think with its cloud based system you will have more choice as a consumer in the future? really?
I don't condone the behavior although it doesn't affect me personally. However all companies including Google are irresponsible when it comes to these practices.
moneeMay 11th 2010 12:50PM
I think Microsoft doing is enough normal for a company. You put my software on your pc = you get discounts, seems standard. The problem is another, they don't even think about giving to users a choice, you get Office and all the bloatware if you want or if you don't (like now), well there wouldn't be a big problem, but really removing all the crapware everytime i format it's just annoying.
AnthonyMay 11th 2010 2:26PM
You have no idea how much I would rather see Live Essentials, Office Starter 2010, and Security Essentials bundled onto a brand new PC rather than all the other crap. The biggest bloatware I've found on new PCs, aside from Norton 360, is OEM software (Dell Support, VAIO Care, the HP dock and support tools, etc.). My step-mother got a VAIO right before Windows 7 came out last year, and it takes a about 3 minutes before her computer is actually usable. I've tried to uninstall several of the VAIO pieces of bloatware, but their crap still pops up when you log in. When I upgrade it to 7, I'm probably going to have to wipe and load.
Gardiner WestboundMay 11th 2010 7:14PM
http://pcdecrapifier.com/home