I was a big Dell fan once upon a time. Then it seemed more and more value-added, er, crap-ware was getting installed. I understand Dell wanting to make some extra cash by pre-loaded software. But I know what I want and I especially know what I don't want and I really don't want promotional and demo software sucking up space on my new machine, let alone hogging up the start-up / services of my computer. So the last big computer I bought (that I'm typing on right now) was a Gateway. And I've been exceptionally happy with it.

I just learned that Dell has an option for "clean" installs: No Bloatware, Please - one2one, Dell's Weblog

I left the below comment and it's true: when it's time to buy a Vista Premium system, I will now reconsider Dell.

This is excellent news - the main reason I bought a Gateway last time instead
of a Dell (after having bought two Dells) is that I was able to sit in front of
a new Gateway and look at what was installed: nearly nothing. That was exactly
what I wanted... in not wanting anything.

Given how much time I spend "cleaning" new consumer systems that friends and
family members buy (msconfig.exe and all that), I mentioned I'd even be willing
to kick in $5 or whatever to avoid such value-adds from showing up in the first
place.

When I'm ready to buy my Vista-premium system, I will reconsider Dell given
this option.

What's interesting to me regarding this: I wouldn't have known about this non-bloatware option if it wasn't for (1) Dell setting up a conversational blog, and (2) TechMeme picking it up. Given those two events, Dell has both my attention and, quite possibly, some cash from me in 2007.  ¶ 7/22/2006 12:36:00 PM