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Sony Offers Bloatware Removal Service — For a Fee [Updated]
linuxwrangler writes "First Sony packed its laptops with Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office trial version, Corel Paint Shop Pro trial version, WinDVD and more. Now it is offering to remove the bloatware. Of course marketing changed the name from 'removing the crap we stuck you with' to 'Fresh Start' software optimization. And they want you to pay $149.99 to clean up their mess — $49.99 for 'Fresh Start' on top of the required $100.00 Vista Business upgrade. You can get about $25.00 of that cost back if you select all available 'no-software' options which are only available after selecting the $149.99 'upgrade'. Wonder what they would charge to remove Windows completely." Update 11:57 GMT by SM: It seems that massive outrage at Sony's "Fresh Start" program has encouraged them to drop the fee for scrubbing your laptop of bloatware before shipping it your way.
Not really, have you ever tried installing Windows from a CD that wasn't OEM? It is an absolute pain, you thought Debian's text installer was bad or Gentoo's install took forever, this is worse. Not only do you have to track down every single last driver but the install itself takes ages. I haven't tried installing Vista and I don't expect it to be much better.
There is no "disagree" moderation, and troll, flamebait and overrated are not valid substitutes
1) Bitter Dreamcast owner
2) Bitter Xbox owner
3) Bitter Xbox 360 owner
4) Bitter HD-DVD owner
Why pay for expensive therapy sessions when you can use Slashdot to dump all that built up Sony hate. Just think of how much money Zonk has saved over the past couple years... Wow! I've heard of people missing every answer but being wrong four times out of three is impressive. And if you consider the fact that I like the Sony products I own, your error rate increases to five out of three.
With talent like that, I'm shocked that you choose to remain anonymous.
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"You are not remembered for doing what is expected of you." - Atul Chitnis