Lenovo PCs to Bundle Windows Live

Despite two high-profile departures and continued confusion over branding, Microsoft delivered some positive Windows Live news Wednesday, announcing a deal with Lenovo to pre-load Windows Live services with the manufacturer's ThinkPad notebooks and desktop PCs.

Live.com will become the default homepage for those systems, and the Windows Live Toolbar will be pre-installed. Lenovo indicated it will deliver PC updates and other information through the customizable Live.com site to customers. The OEM deal is the first involving Windows Live for Microsoft; previously, the company offered its MSN portal to PC markers.