I bought a new Toshiba Satellite L-445D laptop recently through Wal-mart. The computer comes "pre-loaded" with Windows 7 which includes Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007. Each time any of the Office programs are opened, a pop-up requests the product key. It states after 25 uses, many of the features will not be usable. I obtained the product key from the sticker on the bottom of the computer. When I tried to enter it, Office would not accept stating that the product key I was trying to enter was incorrect.
I first went to Microsoft's tech support website. One of the possible problems listed was that the Office installed on my computer was a trial version only, and I would have to purchase Office separately. The website suggested that I contact the computer manufacturer.
I then called Toshiba. When I explained the problem to the rep, he said that the product key code on the computer was NOT A VALID CODE. He explained what Microsoft had said, the version on the computer was only a trial version and therefore would not accept the product code on the sticker. When I told him that I wish I had known that to begin with, he stated that they had received a lot of calls about this same thing. I bet so.
Toshiba should make this clear up front. It's no wonder the price on their computers is so low now. My wife has an Acer Aspire, and her Office programs were the "real deal." No "trial versions" or anything else. By the time I pay for Microsoft Office, put it with the purchase price of the Toshiba, I could have had something else.