Can anyone tell me about how Dell provides software in its computers, such as the OS (Windows), MS Office, etc.? I'm assuming that it's something like I've read about Compaq, where the "Recovery Disc" is actually a utility for recovering the real operating system, which is located in an image file on a hidden partition on the hard drive. If so, is MS Office (purchased from them as an add-on, or included in one of their "deals") handled in the same way? That is, is it included in that image file, and no actual software installation disk for MS Office is then included with the computer? I'm on a committee purchasing computers for our church staff, and need to hear from someone who's been there, so that I have something to report back. It seems to me that if the apps are just in that image file, not actually accessible on a disk, that a lot of the functionality (Recovery console in WinXP, or the ability to add or remove parts of Office) would be missing. It would sure help to know what to expect. Personally I'm a little leery about this. I tend to favor purchasing locally, where these things can be ascertained a little more definitely. Any help would be appreciated.