http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/ Engadget Comments for Sony hates you, offers $50 "Fresh Start" option to build your laptop crapware-free http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
great laptops though]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 10:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
What sort of messed up, ass-backwards world is this?! @_@]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Geez, I hate all the PC Laptops with their bloatware/crapware. Even though I Love Lenovo laptops, the crapware they come with is enough to make you vomit. One point for Apple (so that makes a total score of -156 - 100 of which was for "mindless trendiness" and 30 for form over function)]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 3:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
I don't like junkware either, but I'd rather take a few minutes to uninstall some stupid programs, than having to pay upfront for the extra surpluses.

I really love Sony Vaios for their quality and design, but the junkware has always been somewhat disappointing when you turn it on.

I think Vista comes with a junkware remover tool or something.]]>Mar 21st 2008 3:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 3:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
You don't need a source, it's basic economics.
First, we'll start with what we know to be true, and then deduce additional facts from those truths.

1) Wild Tangent (and other bloatware companies) want to make money, through people paying for their games and through in-game advertising. Thus, the more users they have, the more money they make.

2) HP, Dell, etc. are in business to sell computers, and that includes the low-end market. They would be willing to do a lot of things to make their computers cheaper than their competitors.

3) Computer manufacturers would not put crapware in their products unless there was some financial reward for doing so.

Therefore, we can conclude that:
4) WildTangent and HP, Dell, etc. would all benefit if the bloatware companies covered some of the cost of the computers on the condition that their software comes pre-installed on said computers. Thus allowing manufacturers to have cheaper products and for bloatware companies to target a larger audience.

So assuming 1, 2, and 3 are true, then 4 is also true. This is how capitalism works. If you don't like it, you can always get a clean install from ..... um....... "other sources"]]>Mar 21st 2008 4:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 4:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/It's so good, that even installing Windows is optional, never mind bloatware.]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228]]>Mar 21st 2008 7:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
1. Clean Install - Your new VAIO PC will come out of the box swinging, with a set of lean and mean applications; Certain VAIO applications and applications provided by our advertising partners will not be preinstalled, and will not be included on your install discs. These applications will be available online should you choose to install them.

2. Full Extras (Subtract $50.00) - The complete suite of VAIO applications, plus select online games and software packages from our advertising partners, will be included on the hard drive and in the restore disc. [Link: See complete list of included software]

Now, if they hadn't been so mind-numbingly disingenuous about it, this article might have taken a different tack.]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
It's called a brain. Think about it. Do you think the PC manufacturers are promoting other people's products for free? No, they are getting paid to do it. They use that payment to reduce the price of the product.]]>Mar 21st 2008 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
If this is only a one-time thing before the machine ships out... yikes.]]>Mar 21st 2008 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
http://gizmodo.com/370901/sony-shamed-into-making-fresh-start-free

well, they are reporting ]]>Mar 21st 2008 5:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
But, seriously, is there any proof that they use the money from bloatware publishers to offset PC costs, and not just pocket the money? I guess, perhaps, that could be part of the contract.

And, I'm not sure what time zone Engadget's in... but that post of mine says 3:19am... A time when my brain is not functioning properly.

tl;dr: STFU :)]]>Mar 22nd 2008 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
'I don't want bloatware... what's that? A PC for £200? Out of my way!'

'GM foods are bad, food miles are bad, poor conditions for animals are bad, the government should do something... holy cr@p this chicken is only £1.99! Fill the trolley!'

]]>Mar 26th 2008 8:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/pwned bitch!]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
I propose: does it come with a fresh start?]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
"I wish we could get a fresh start, without you."]]>Mar 21st 2008 3:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 3:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 8:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Sony is actually giving you the option to not have any crapware on your new computer, saving the average PC buyer time and grief. They are the only ones I've seen offering this option at ANY price.

It costs them money if you invoke that option, so they have to pass at least some of that on to you. You don't invoke that option, you don't pay $50, and it's like you got a system from any other mainstream manufacturer.

I swear to God, some of you people would bitch if they hung you with a new rope.]]>Mar 21st 2008 4:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
...unless installing the software actually nets you money. which, in this case, it does.

imagine, for a second, that i told you i'd give you a dollar for every piece of my software you installed on your computer. of course installing less software would cost you more, because you're throwing away money that you could have. (because the inverse is true- installing MORE software 'costs' you LESS, because you're *making* money on the deal.)

(in this case, "you" are the manufacturer, not the consumer.)]]>Mar 21st 2008 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
]]>Mar 21st 2008 6:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Dell figures the crapware is worth $60
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070111-8598.html

Two questions - if you get a Dell/Sony laptop with Visa preinstalled:
* If you clean rebuild with the Vista DVD that comes with it; does it reinstall the crapware?
* Do you get a serial number you can use with someone else's Vista DVD?]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Depends on what type of "install" discs you get with your machine. If you get "system restore" disks (usually more than one) then you are probably getting an exact replica of the image the populated your HDD with from the factory and some utility on the disk will just do a quick format and copy that image over, bringing you right back to Crapfest 08'.

If you get a Vista DVD to install with (like the ones I got with my Gateway laptops), chances are you are getting a OEM re-install disc that is as clean as Vista gets.]]>Mar 21st 2008 3:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Are you serious?
really?
are you trying to defend Sony for this abhorrent business model?
Its all well and fine that the few of us have the technical knowledge to wipe our own machines clean and start from scratch, but think of the general user who can barely use their new $2000 plus laptop!

This is disgraceful, and if i weren't already an apple user, this would be enough to make me switch]]>Mar 21st 2008 2:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 27th 2008 9:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 7:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
Not anymore, they don't. The latest MacBook and MacBook Pros do not ship with trial iWork nor MS Office. The only thing Macs come with now that could even remotely be considered "trialware" is .Mac.]]>Mar 21st 2008 9:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
"Sure, we all hate them, but they are the reason that TV is free (antenna)..."

For all the talk of economics, you'd think someone would come up with the idea of "opportunity cost" and stop using words like "free" when they do not apply.]]>Mar 21st 2008 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 4:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
I smell a troll.]]>Mar 21st 2008 5:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
This fresh start option, twisted as it may seem, does offer some clarification to the market. It's good to have consumers use their heads before parting with their cash. My Packard Bell machine does have some circuware that is hidden from Windows "add/remove programs" but I don't get the option of knowing why it's there. Now when comparing offers from alternative computer/OS manufacturers the consumer can put a price on having a retail OS vs an OEM customized image.
]]>Mar 21st 2008 5:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/Mar 21st 2008 2:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/sony-hates-you-offers-50-fresh-start-option-to-build-your-la/
It should have had it in the first place albeit, but hey it's fixed now.]]>Mar 21st 2008 5:29AM