<p>Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it's planning to bundle a basic version of Office with cheap 7- and 8-inch Windows 8 tablets. While at first glance it's difficult to take issue with Microsoft giving something away for free, it signals a new era of low-end Windows devices that feels all too familiar.</p><p>The netbook era returns</p><p>Back in 2007 Asus unveiled its Eee PC. Complete with a 7-inch display, lightweight chassis, keyboard, and Linux, it signaled the beginning of the netbook trend. The presence of Linux on a consumer device forced Microsoft to cut the price of Windows XP licenses to ensure PC makers created a range of low-cost Windows-powered devices. It jumpstarted a race to the bottom between PC manufacturers, resulting in cheap and small devices that didn't replace notebook PCs, just as pure tablets don't replace laptops today. Thanks to low-cost devices like the Nexus 7 and iPad mini, Microsoft has been forced to follow the same path again, cutting the price of Windows for small devices.</p><p>To most consumers, Office is a part of Windows. If you've ever worked in retail, support, or you're just the techie in your family then you're bound to have experienced someone asking you how to obtain a copy of Office. Microsoft's plan to make ARM-based tablets appealing to consumers resulted in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote being bundled with Windows RT. The approach was understandable a push to sell Windows-based tablets but RT comes with a desktop mode that doesn't work with an existing library of traditional desktop apps. This has generated confusion, and Microsoft is adding to this greatly by attempting to leverage Office even further with 7- and 8-inch Windows devices.</p><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/6/4402014/next-netbook-microsoft-office-windows-small-tablets-bundle">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2040820/eight-questions-about-windows-8-for-microsoft-oem-chief-nick-parker.html">Eight questions about Windows 8 for Microsoft OEM chief Nick Parker</a> (PCWorld)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dWe4qC1ANhcOmqM5UF7oBH9GZeWCM&ned=us">672 additional articles.</a></p>