Isn't Microsoft a partner in this program, supplying either technology (hardware and/or software) or money or both? If so, then I believe it's a given that the computers would come pre-installed with Microsoft software. I doubt Bill Gates would fund such a program and then offer Linux-based machines running Open Office, Opera and iTunes.

Further, $4 per upgrade per computer is still a lot cheaper than having to pay the retail amounts, per licenced machine, for Windows and Office upgrades, which can run to several hundred dollars per product. Unless Microsoft has changed their tune lately, multi-user licences, under normal circumstances and even for educational or institutional applications, still cost a heck of a lot more than $4 per machine.

Personally, Microsoft or otherwise, I believe that if NB students (hopefully including my own children) can get computers and software for pennies per taxpayer, it's a good deal.