THIS is part of a series of posts. For context, have a look at previous parts of this sage, such as:

• Wanted: List of Bloggers, Journalists, and Analysts Whom Microsoft Bribed at PDC 2008
• Microsoft Polices Coverage of Vista 7 by 'Kicking Out' Disobedient Journalist
• Microsoft is Bribing Bloggers Again... for Vista 7 Raves
• Praise Microsoft, Receive Bribe
• Harry McCracken, Technologizer: Bribed by Microsoft
• Tim Anderson Received Bribe for Vista 7 Review
• Jason Brooks (eWeek): Bribed by Microsoft
• Laptop Magazine: Bribed by Microsoft
• Ed Bott: Bought by Microsoft

What's new then? Yes, you've guessed it, there's another one. It is almost self explanatory and there are more important examples which would take a long time to explore and touch on, so let's make this quick.

Here’s a look at the hardware that Microsoft is using to demonstrate their lastest pre-beta version of Windows 7. Journalist reviewers are loaned 1 of two models of laptop, the hard hitting, but feather weight Dell 1330 and a lenovo laptop with an SSD hard-drive (I don’t recall the model). That’s all I can say about the lenovo, since I wasn’t assigned that machine. My reviews will be based on the Dell.

More here.

I’m attending a good number of the conferences at PDC, and as part of the media, was loaned a laptop with a certain operating system to take back to the geek-lair. Check back at 9 am PST to find out some surprising new facts about the new Windows 7. I’m pretty excited about it and I think you should too.

Oh, and just a note, other than this loaner laptop, I receive zero compensation from Microsoft (or from any other entity), my regular job is covering my travel expenses to the conference, and I receive no advertising dollars from this website. I do this just for the heck of it, and I really think the GeekPI coverage is going to put the rest of those ‘tech’ blogs to shame.

Translation: I got a $2000 worth of schwag from a company that does not even manufacture it. But that's all, I promise! No more than $2000!!

The only comment there says: "Thanks for this blog. I look forward to your “independent” coverage."

Paul Thurrott wannabes? He too has been shilling for whatever is Windows related. Gosh, Microsoft is really destroying trust in the blogosphere. ⬆

"I've been thinking long and hard about this, and the only conclusion I can come to is that this is ethically indistinguishable from bribery. Even if no quid-pro-quo is formally required, the gift creates a social obligation of reciprocity. This is best explained in Cialdini's book Influence (a summary is here). The blogger will feel some obligation to return the favor to Microsoft."

--Former Microsoft manager