Posted on 03/23/2008 1:19:23 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Sony has begun offering Fresh Start, a controversial practice to clean its systems of unnecessary software. Initially available only with the VAIO TZ ultraportable, the option removes both VAIO-specific programs as well as games and other trial software. The practice is meant to "free up valuable hard drive space and conserve memory and processing power" before the system ever leaves the factory, according to Sony.
However, the offer has already received criticism for its $50 cost, which lifts the price of the system despite restoring the performance that would be present with a default installation of Windows. The practice has often led to unusually long boot times and slower systems and, in 2007, saw Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg referring to preloaded trial applications as "craplets" for their tendency to ruin a user's experience.
Sony has historically responded by noting that the inclusion of trial software helps subsidize the cost of the system, which would normally climb upwards with a clean system. The PC builder has also claimed that roughly one third of its buyers use at least some of the bundled trial software. However, rivals such as Dell have in recent months offered higher-end systems without such software by default, instead rolling any costs for a clean install into the normal system price.
Apple as well as a handful of other PC vendors have touted clean systems as a performance and feature advantage over more common challengers.
Our two new Dells (1 desktop and 1 laptop) recently purchased from Dell Outlet, both came with the OS disks (Win XP), and no crapware whatsoever.
Situations like this are why I just build my own boxes. I get the hardware I want, the OS that I want, and well, the overall computer that I want. I’ve also found that every time I build a machine myself I get a faster computer at a far lesser price, using all components of my choosing.
I can’t imagine why someone would go out and buy a “Sony” computer, or any other manufacturer. Just build your own.
Kinda hard to build your own laptop, and have anything worthwhile.
The closest you can get, BS free, with a real XP CD, is from http://www.sagernotebook.com.
Sager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Clevo, and you can buy Clevo laptops, as well, but Sager will customize your machine and provide world class support, with one caveat...they don’t suffer fools (or lairs) lightly. LOL
System Owned Not Yours ping. :-)
Best, ShorelineMike.
Sony's rootkit did it for me. I don't buy anything Sony any more. Permanent Boycott.
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