This could open opportunities for ad sales to online retailers besides software vendors, which in turn can reduce the relevance of any particular desktop PC operating system. This is a potential for Linux, which the PC makers can leverage to recuperate profit margins by eliminating the Windows license fees paid to Microsoft.

Don't install the garbage at all and charge $30 to install them on a new computer...

http://pcdecrapifier.com/

$30 to get rid of Vista?

Value beyond measure!

Retailers get paid by virus scanner trials and trials of office software such as Ability Office to install their crap. Sometimes they pay to install it, sometimes they pay when users get suckered into buying the full version. The virus scanner trial covers the cost of the XP UMPC license and then the other crap is a bonus. Retailers are being paid to install XP. They can install Linux and have a better solution for their customers with no need for virus scanners and a real office suite pre-installed but they don't make money by doing this. Linux isn't defective enough that users think it needs crapware to upgrade it. Virus scanner providers have a vested interest in users remaining on Windows and they will pay the full cost of the Windows license to protect that interest.

If the stores in the US are doing this, maybe PC World in the UK will start doing this soon - and if they do:

1) undercut by £5

2) advertise in local paper

3) ...

4) profit!