There are plenty of Microsoft Certified Professionals out there that work in a computer store (and I'm one of them, and I've been certified since 1993). I think you'll find that many of us work at local reputable stores that charge less than $99 for the same service.

There are a number of people on Craigslist and Kijiji around here that will do that sort of work for that sort of price, but I am unclear if most consumers are willing to give their computer to someone from an online advertisement. Obviously there isn't as much overhead as with a computer store for those who are doing this.

The company I work for has been in business since 1995. I figure we target much the same consumer as Microsoft in this case: a reputable place to send the computer for service for those who are unable to do the sort of work themselves, or really don't have the time or inclination to do so.

Sure, you can do it yourself, but my point is that I think their price is a little steep compared to the standard market price for this sort of work. Plus, many business-class computers like the Acer TravelMate and Acer Veriton computers don't have much bundled with the system in terms of OEM software in any case.

I'm sure we are not alone, along with other computer stores in the area, we do a "wipe and reload" of the OEM Windows (XP, Vista, or 7) for $65 plus the applicable taxes, and we'll even load the latest service pack for Windows on the computer. It can make the computer run faster, but frankly I don't think it is really necessary for most new computer systems. The Acer TravelMate and Acer Veriton (business class) systems that we sell comes with very little in terms of additional OEM bundled software.