Microsoft offers OEMs bloatware discount for bundling Office 2010 Starter

We've known about Microsoft's plans to release a stripped-down, free version of Office 2010 for quite some time. What's been slightly less publicized is the fact that Office Starter will only be available on brand new computers. That doesn't seem like such a big deal, but there's more to the story.

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. Microsoft Outlook 2010 Microsoft Publisher 2010 Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 FULL VERSION [DVD]

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