The other day I wrote and talked about the idea of Microsoft getting into building their retail chain computers. Well today Alex over at the Sunbelt Software blog has a post about how the Microsoft branded PCs at their retail stores are coming with Microsoft Security Essentials pre-loaded.

However, for their new PC re-selling initiative, they are hand-selecting a number of PCs from major manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, Asus and Acer), and creating “Signature” editions.
These special editions are pre-built with standard Windows components (IE 8, etc.), but also include Windows Media Center, Internet TV for Media Center, Microsoft Security Essentials, Bing 3D Maps, Zune 4.0 and all the major Live components.

Alex also goes on to point out how this is a potential way for the company to get around any anti-trust issues

This is also a nifty way for Microsoft to potentially get around anti-trust issues. They don’t include Apple products (Quicktime, iTunes). They don’t include non-Microsoft security applications. But it’s because it’s their own product they are selling on their own stores.

That kind of an interesting aspect to the idea of Microsoft building its own computer systems.

Related posts:

1. Should Microsoft build computers?
2. Microsoft Security Essentials: One more thing Microsoft gets right.
3. That Microsoft Store – well it apparently has a logo
4. Microsoft needs an intervention
5. Microsoft going into the cafe business (4 pics)