Google and Dell Sign Deal

Google and Dell have entered into an agreement where as Dell will load Google's Desktop Search onto all newly purchased puters leaving the Dell factory.

The deal calls for Dell PCs to come with Google Desktop and Google Toolbar pre-installed. It also stipulates that Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 will be set to use a Google home page. Dell will, in turn, get sharing of Internet advertising revenue.

The multi-year, worldwide pact will involve tens of millions of computers, Google CEO Eric Schmidt said, adding, "The real reason to do this is the end-user benefit."

How this benefits the user, I'm not sure. I wouldn't dare run Google Desktop on any of my machines. Quick access to all data on the machine isn't necessarily a good thing in a SOHO environment.