DISQUS

Bob Caswell: Computers Coming Preloaded with More Crapware Than Ever Before

  • Frank LaRosa · 2 years ago
    I bought a Latitude D620 laptop from Dell last year. It had no extra software, trials or anything else on it whatsoever. It also came in a small box with little more than a recovery CD and the power supply. It was the most pleasant experience I've ever had with a new computer. Perhaps this is one of the benefits of buying from their "business" line of products rather than the "consumer" line.
  • Bob Caswell · 2 years ago
    Going with pre-installed Linux is one option, I suppose, but something I'd never be able to recommend to average computer users like my parents.

    But I didn't realize Latitudes came clean. That's definitely a feasible option. Thanks, Frank.
  • Mike · 2 years ago
    Like the article mentioned, macs come with no crapware installed. Sure, there are programs that might not be used by everyone, but those are easily removed and do not do anything negative except for taking up hard drive space. You can install windows on them as well. If you must.
  • Matt · 2 years ago
    I built my computer. Works absolutely perfect, and I spent about 600 less than what I would have at a store. If you don't want all the crap that comes with a computer, build one, or have someone do it for you.
  • ex_tech · 2 years ago
    Just grab a copy of windows (OEM or original) from your friend and install it on your PC. Get the authentic CDKey from the bottom of your laptop (you paid for the license with the purchase of your PC) and use it to activate/register your copy of Windows. You might need to call Microsoft to activate the license key, but that's just a small price to pay (15 minutes tops) for not having any crapware installed. Grab the drivers from the manufacturer's website first (especially the network card driver, either wireless or ethernet).
  • Tom · 2 years ago
    Dell's Inspiron e1505 comes with TONS of garbage software already installed. It took me over an hour just to uninstall all the crap that came on it, the majority of it being software written by Dell themselves, the worst programmers I have ever encountered(besides Sony's Sonicstage).

    It is a nightmare uninstalling all of it, seeing you need select pieces of their software to operate basic functions(brightness, volume, wireless connectivity) on the pc.

    But after all is off, it actually is a very well rounded laptop I recommend to everyone..I personally get five hours of battery life off one charge on the 9-cell battery(extra $100 option, WELL worth the investment). Five hours with a 15" screen..can't go wrong!! And it is a QUIET pc weighing it at just over 6lbs.