Why does buying a new computer from an OEM annoy me?

If you are a home user, and you bought your new computer from an OEM, then you would probably notice that your new computer is ''clean''.
Why the word clean in inverted commas? Lots of OEMs I dont know how many, bundle lots of, perhaps, unneeded software programs together with the purchase of your new computer. This is what I call crapware. Software that is not needed and totally not a necessity in any way at all.

http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1213

Another thing is, the sticky problem that is present on the surface of your computer's metallic skin. Seen the stickers: Designed for Windows xx? Or Intel Inside Pentium x?
IMHO the only sticker that should be on a computer is the COA Certificate of Authenticity.

Here's a nice read: http://www.decheung.com/2005/06/think_of_your_c.html

And i'm going to reformat my computer soon to get rid of all the bundled software that P.B put in. That's the only way for me to remove the unneeded software.

 

In retrospect, one of the best things that happened to me was my Compaq totally and irreversibly crashing when I attempted to install Service Pack 2, but forgot to turn off GoBack. Microsoft was good enough to send me a Win XP Pro CD (because Compaq doesn't provide an OS CD, just a recovery partition on the hard drive, as you may know). I loaded Windows XP Pro and just the application software I wanted, then restored backed-up data. Now I have a nice clean PC and I know everything on it.

My next PC will be custom made by a very good, local shop, in order to avoid the software junk.

 

Hi,
I say - NEVER let the guys at the store install Windows for you. Buy a computer separately and buy the OS separately and install it alone at home. That way you control what gets installed.
Mrk

 

"During a meeting with some Dell executives at CES, I asked Sam Burd about why his company loads so much junkware on its PCs. He said Dell is just trying to give people some of the software they need to get started right away."



You know, the truth doesn't always hurt. Why couldn't Sam just say something like, "...it helps us be more competitive price-wise".

We know about money. We like it too. We understand. But why is a lie always the first response? Conditioned reflex?


- HandsOff

 

Peter-

You have the best of all situatioins.

1- Loaded with stupid programs: Waste time uninstalling, or whatever.

2- Not loaded with anything. No you have to do it.

3- Put in just what you want. Saves time.


What do you mean, always order? You like picking a few up every week? I assume that the PowerDVD, while not a trial version, is not truly a full version.

What was the Ulead package? Was it any good?


- HandsOff

 

Building a computer from ground up is best..

Emachines, dell, ect.. have some contract to preinstall AOHELL and the junkware, on everymachine they sell, they even embed into the install disk too..

 

My system's from a local OEM -- that way if there's problems, they're just a local phone call or taxi ride away.

It took something like 3 days to get it after ordering -- maybe a couple of hours to get it checked out properly, and the better part of 2 more days for them to get Win Updates right up to date before they'd turn it over to me.

The only non-OS software they pre-installed was Norton's Internet Protection, or whatever it's called, which I ditched in favor of other things, and Restore-IT which has been a life-saver on occasion. Oh, and the Mouseware garbage for the Logitech optical mouse that came with it -- I junked most of that when I found the mouse would work quite nicely with Win's own PS/2 drivers.

 

Hey Mike!

Yeah, I have to agree with you. For a company that makes good hardware, the sure go a little astray with the software. I guess I just was not destined to have a dinosaur pointer


-HandsOff