Idea for s/w pre-loads on notebooks & Lenovo's response

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#1 Post by **K. Eng** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:14 pm

I am sure that many of you, like me, are annoyed with the amount of pre-loaded junk on notebook computers.

Why don't computer manufacturers just have a script that runs an installer the first time one boots up windows that allows the end user to choose what bloatware he or she wants?

That would be much better than wasting time uninstalling Google Desktop and other stuff.

I think factory installs should be limited to Windows, drivers/hardware control panels, and software specifically ordered with the system (e.g. antivirus, Microsoft Office).

skitty4gzus · #2 Post by **skitty4gzus** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:52 pm

I agree, all the extra garbage like AOL installers and what not are just a flat waste of my time to uninstall.

RUSH2112 · #3 Post by **RUSH2112** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:04 am

You think they install Yahoo toolbar or whatever because they're feeling generous to Yahoo? They get paid to throw that bloat on there, and if it can be deselected from the default, they will likely not get nearly as much for it if anything.

Believe me, I hate bloatware as much as the next guy. All we can do for now is spend a few minutes uninstalling it after we set up the OS.

#4 Post by **K. Eng** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:46 am

RUSH2112 wrote:They get paid to throw that bloat on there, and if it can be deselected from the default, they will likely not get nearly as much for it if anything.

I'm aware that system builders get paid to install that software in their OS builds, but I wish for once that I could buy a notebook computer without all the junk.

Hopefully someone with some decisionmaking power is reading this.

Temetka · #5 Post by **Temetka** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:56 pm

Sure they may read it, but nothing will change. The money from the software vendors helps to lower the cost of the machines. If that money was not there, then the machine would cost more and people would [censored] about that.

I boot a new laptop once or twice. Then whip out my XP CD and it's all over from there. I do make a Restore CD or DVD when and where possible. Otherwise it doesn't really matter to me.

dsigma6 · #6 Post by **dsigma6** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:00 pm

You mean to tell me uninstalling all 40 game demos individually that come pre-installed isn't an enjoyable experience?

I get excited when CCleaner has something to do.

How about this (unrealistic idea)- would you pay extra, say $50, to have an option for a non bloated system?

Stargate199 · #7 Post by **Stargate199** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:01 pm

Wouldn't pay for an unbloated system because I can remove the bloatware myself. When my family got a new HP computer in the fall of 2002, I removed all of the bloatware from the startup. Then I wondered why 10GB of hard drive space was being used when it should be empty. Gentlemen..........Behold.................10GB of..................Software Demos!!! (insert evil laugh). (Aqua Teen Hunger Force Dr. Weird knock off, for those who have never seen the show.)

pianowizard · #8 Post by **pianowizard** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:12 pm

I wonder how much more expensive computers would be if they had no junkware. $50 on average?

#9 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:14 pm

RUSH2112 wrote:You think they install Yahoo toolbar or whatever because they're feeling generous to Yahoo? They get paid to throw that bloat on there, and if it can be deselected from the default, they will likely not get nearly as much for it if anything.

Sadly, it's not just Windows and Yahoo! doing it. I installed Fedora Core 6 on a server this weekend, and it's amazing how much crud is installed by default. Sure, it's all free, but CPU, memory and disk space are not. So I ended up spending some hours first googling to figure out what all the stuff was (and whether it was useful) and then unchecking checkboxes from the installer ...

mikey pizano · #10 Post by **mikey pizano** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:13 pm

Thank god Acer doesn't include too much crapware! I ended up deleting almost everything (including the CD burning software) and install my "must have" list only.

#11 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:18 pm

dsigma6 wrote:How about this (unrealistic idea)- would you pay extra, say $50, to have an option for a non bloated system?

Here is an idea...

Let the factory ship their ThinkPads with the extras (I hate the term: bloatware) installed from the beginning. If the ThinkPad buyer does not want them; let him/her do a restore to factory contents, and have option checkboxes for choosing which of the extras, if any, will also be installed.

mikey pizano · #12 Post by **mikey pizano** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:20 pm

Now that sounds like a good idea!

Also, why stop at third party programs, I am sure there are core OS programs that we can do witout!

joester · #13 Post by **joester** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:47 pm

I would rather be presented with a list of "optional programming" that I could select from, and an additional blank list for programs not listed. Submit the list when the order is placed, and, like a new car, the programs selected are installed. Longer wait for a PC? Sure. Worth it? I would think so, considering restore CD's or partitions could be configured with the requested programming.
Those lacking the intestinal fortitude to create their own backup would have an easy way to get what they want, and those of us who do would seriously consider this option since it sure would be easier in the long run.

Sorry, I was thinking again....

Joe

Uatu · #14 Post by **Uatu** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:03 pm

Temetka wrote:The money from the software vendors helps to lower the cost of the machines. If that money was not there, then the machine would cost more and people would [censored] about that.

I find it hard to believe that the hardware vendors would pass this revenue stream, in the form of a reduced price for hardware, to the consumer... rather than padding the Golden Parachute of the CEO du jour. Call me cynical.

ronbo613 · #15 Post by **ronbo613** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:58 pm

I like the way a cpmputer comes when I build my PCs and workstations; nothing there but the operating system.
I know what tasks the computer needs to do, I'll take care of it. What the hardware manufacturer should do is give the buyer a voucher or coupon for the software of his/her choice.

#16 Post by **gator** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:31 am

http://www.lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=63

Matt responds to this issue. I'd like to make new thread out of this, if the mods are ok with it.

Go Lenovo!

Note from Moderator: No need for a new thread. Moved, and subject adjusted.

#17 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:17 am

gator wrote:http://www.lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=63

Matt responds to this issue.

You can just call me "Carnac the Magnificent".

Talk about a fast response!

#18 Post by **JaneL** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:57 am

GomJabbar wrote:Talk about a fast response!

Of course, the ideal situation would have been for Matt to come here and respond directly...

smek · #19 Post by **smek** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:43 pm

They do it because we will still buy Thinkpads even if they have all this junk and of course they get a lot of money for it, however it is not anywhere near as bad as what HP and Dell give you from my experience.

However this contributes to the overall problem list of a modern TP which is growing fast, and eventually if Lenovo isnt careful it will come back to bite them.

#20 Post by **K. Eng** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:48 pm

nonny wrote:
GomJabbar wrote:Talk about a fast response!
Of course, the ideal situation would have been for Matt to come here and respond directly...

True, but I'm glad that someone has addressed the concerns of enthusiasts

andyP · #21 Post by **andyP** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:29 pm

GomJabbar wrote:

Let the factory ship their ThinkPads with the extras (I hate the term: bloatware) installed from the beginning. If the ThinkPad buyer does not want them; let him/her do a restore to factory contents, and have option checkboxes for choosing which of the extras, if any, will also be installed.

I'm going to check something tomorrow, the latest version(s) of rescue and recovery have a customised installation option when you choose recover to factory content. I've seen the option on a T60 wide, but haven't actually tried it out to see what the options are.
I'll let you know.

andyP · #22 Post by **andyP** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:37 am

It’s nice to be right sometimes.

The ThinkPad: UO1HDGE 8744-HDG - German

T7200(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinVista Business

After selecting factory installation and agreeing to the terms and conditions I was presented with a screen offering 2 possibilities; normal factory or customised. Having chosen customised I was presented with a list of 29 different tools / utilities to de-select, they included:
Access Help, Acrobat Reader, Diskkeeper Home, Google Desktop, Google Picassa, Google Toolbar, Help Centre, Maintainance Manager, TP Message Centre, Norton Virus Definition, Norton Internet Security, PC Doctor for Win PE, PC Doctor for Windows, Presentation Director, Productivity Centre Supplement, System Migration Assistant, Sun Java, Easy Eject, Mobility Centre Customisation, Access Connections, Think Vantage Productivity Centre, Think Vantage System Update, Think Vantage Welcome, Vista OOBE First Run, Vista Lenovo Welcome, Vista Gadgets Lenovo Essential, Vista OOBE Offer, Vista Performance Manager and Wallpaper.

Please remember I looked at a German pre-installed machine and the “options” may vary in different countries, but at least the choice is available.

Happy Recovering

andyP

Idea for s/w pre-loads on notebooks & Lenovo's response

Idea for s/w pre-loads on notebooks & Lenovo's response

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