Well, would you? mine had bigfix junk and stuff like that which only takes mem up and hasn't bothered me about anything in a year!
I would prefer to install all my own. But as a practical matter, I have usually been able to find a "package" that saves a lot of money. I then uninstall what I don't use.
I dont even buy prebuilt computers. But if I got a free computer, I would just format the disk. Problem solved.
The same, who knows, what all was preinstalled except software as for the hardware, prebuild PC ussually lacks quality.
Nope, I want to decide from scratch (hardware and software) what I have installed in my computer. If I want something I buy it stand alone.
I bought a Dell Dimension ala carte. The only software I had bought installed was Microsoft Office at a savings. I didn't get away scot free though, because thinking she was doing me a favor, the sales person included Norton Security Suite free. As soon as I had the computer set up, I uninstalled that baby before it had a chance to get its tentacles into the system. I also got a free copy of a photo editing app which I still use, and a record burning app that I still use. I'm happy to say I didn't get a lot of garbage included that would have had to be uninstalled.
signed. But for me it was back in 2001, i think. Full of stuff, which i don't need and which caused lots of problems, since i was not so experienced. Burning software had to be patched at first to run under a LUA. Some programs were not easy to uninstall. Even win2k seemed not to be properly installed. Crap: PictureIt, Encarta, MS Works Suite (with some kind of Word2000 "light"), Norton AV, "dellware",.... Would have liked to have the hard disk partitioned. I would like to pay less, and have an empty hard disk. I own everything i need or i would like to buy that software i really need. Otherwise i would format the hard disk first.
Actually, I heard somewhere that Dell's are cheap because of the "bloatware"...they get money for installing that crap on shipped PC's...don't know how true that is though... At least in the US if you buy a Dell you can choose "no security"...here in my country I'm forced to receive mcAfee... When I ordered mine, I asked if I could get it with a blank disk, and no OS and software, since I was planning to install Ubuntu, but they said they'd could not sell it cheaper, that they HAD to send it with XP preinstalled, but as I wanted to format the disk, they wouldn't send the XP CD.... I got it later mailing their support... still I would buy another Dell...
I don't like pre-installed computers, I'm only asking for the installation CD's (Windows, drivers, etc.). Sometimes I get extra software on these CD's, like Nero, ... I usually don't use them, most of them are out-of-date or have poor features or are simply crap.
Once i read a site, how to get back a refund from computer vendors when you are not willing to use the preinstalled OS (i.e. not accept the EULA). It is not an easy task, but it will be possible, depending on your stamina Concerning the Dell Laptop (it was Dell Inspiron8000) it still works fine, the high resolution (1400x1024) display is still excellent, only the keyboard does not work properly anymore. But this is my own fault, i think i have lost to much stuff in it (tobacco, etc.). I tried vacuum cleaning, but this didn't help. All in all, i would also buy again from Dell, if so. But i would like to have a discount and get an "empty" laptop
I'll never forget my first computer in 1997. It was a Compaq, and it came with no less than 10 or 15 installation disks for every crap app you can think of. All of which was out of date. Today I understand that HP is one of the biggest offenders. I play with them in the stores, and there are scores of icons on the desktop for all sorts of apps, most of which are trial copies that all have to be uninstalled.
I'd prefer the option of installing my own. One company sells their computers with XP on board, but also has Vista ready to install if you want it. I ran into another that had Norton and some other software sitting on the desktop. You could install or delete - your choice. If I had to buy a computer today, just give me XP Pro. If other software comes with it, give me the CD's and let me pick and choose.
Have always built my PC's. But if I did buy one, it wouldn't matter. Like WFUser and Hurst, repave and reload.
Previous experience shows that approx. 30% of pre-installed applications are neat to have ( and cheaper too) and 70 % are nothing but useless applications with pop-up balloons to upgrade to the full version: just more junk to uninstall. Sometimes the uninstalling is a real pain in the neck as a lot of these applications are perniciously coded to be intentionally hard to uninstall.
I have had good success with prebuild computers from Velocity Micro, as they don't put any "crap" on them. Currently in the market for a new laptop, and very surprised at the changes at Dell. They are now including the "media" ie Windows CD, and a CD of drivers with the system. Also no crap software and no recovery partition. This however is only on their business line, not home line. Note that if you buy a Dell and format and install a clean operating system, you in essence void the warranty. True also of IBM. Pete
My sister-in-law purchased her first personal computer several years ago. A nice machine - Sony Vaio notebook. Trouble is it came with heavy stuff installed incl. Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop/Elements/Premier, NIS, Microsoft Works, Vaio Media stuff, HP Photo stuff, the obligatory rescue/recovery disc plus so many other programs it boggles the mind. Unfortunately she has no idea how to put it all to use, and in any case only trusts Microsoft, so getting her to do a wipe and clean install with programs she could easily learn to use (eg. Photofiltre instead of Adobe) is fruitless.
If they bloated the new computer, and the user was new to computing, that would give a false impression of the company, and they may want a refund, So, whats the buissness? Of course, they have sponsers, but is it really worth the effort when many people just format their drives?
I have bought two computers from Velocity Micro. Both had very little preinstalled stuff. Dell and HP now almost always come loaded with preinstalled software except I think if you by the business version of the computers.
