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Sony backs down, says won’t charge $50 for crapware removal

Saturday, March 22, 2008 · 2:34 pm · 50 Comments

“Responding to a tidal wave of outrage, Sony has reversed a plan to charge $50 to remove all the pre-installed applications — often derided as ‘bloatware’ or ‘craplets’ — from its high-end TZ-series notebooks,” Rob Beschizza reports for Wired.

“Earlier today, PC World reported that Sony would charge $50 for a configuration option called ‘Fresh Start,’ which would not include the bloatware,” Beschizza reports. “When contacted by Gadget Lab, a spokesperson for Sony said that the company will now remove that charge.”

“‘There will be no charge for Fresh Start,’ said the spokesman,” Beschizza reports.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: The question-with-no-good-answer still remains: Why buy an OS-limited Sony (or any other) PC when only Apple’s OS-unlimited Macs can run all the world’s software?

Direct link via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJgtmPLYGEE

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Comment Feed

50 Comments

1 2 Next »

Traveler

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 2:58 pm · Reply

The answer to the question is simple. Apple doesn’t make a computer this small. Everyone misses the 12″ powerbook. And, the built in Sprint card makes internet everywhere. I covet a mac competitor, but it doesn’t exist.
JAYGEE

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 2:59 pm · Reply

@MDN

People might not want all the worlds software.
Wintermute

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:03 pm · Reply

@JAYGEE

And Sony thought they could profit from that.
Dutch

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:03 pm · Reply

This was a bad move for Sony. They were making money installing bloatware on their computers and people lived with it. Now people will have the option of opting out of the crapware install for free and there goes part of their margins… I wouldn’t be surprised if that option disappeared quietly in a couple of weeks.
kikamouse

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:07 pm · Reply

@ Jaygee

Are you gay or just stupid? You know as well as I do that there are far more reasons to get a mac than just software. If you want to pinch pennies and deal with the crap that Wndows pc manufacturers force down your throat because they feel you are too much of a girl and/or complacent with all that crap, then get a PC. If you see a value in spending more money for far less hassle, get a mac. But don’t think for one second that your argument actually holds any water.
Mad Mac Maniac

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:18 pm · Reply

I agree with Traveler 100%

I also loath the glossy screens which cause eyestrain and headaches from annoying reflections.

I’m training in Windows now just in case Apple decides to make all their computers screens glossy.

First defection in over 20 years.

Apple just doesn’t listen sometimes, even when all the “glossy vs matte” polls show people prefer matte screens.

Some of us have to work with our machines, not watch movies on them.

Stupid Steve Jobs.
Your Mom BluRay

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:25 pm · Reply

@ Mad Mac Maniac

Good luck, and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out…
cptnkirk

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:27 pm · Reply

Back to the SONY/SORRY retraction:

If you read the release, it doesn’t say that they have removed the $50 fee.

It says that they won’t charge the fee if you upgrade to a $100 more expensive version of Vista.

If you won’t do that you have to take all the crapware or pay the $50.

Not really backing down in my book!
Spore

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:30 pm · Reply

Zunetang

Mac Mad Maniac

Scheduler

anybody see mutant brethren?
kikamouse

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:33 pm · Reply

@ Scheuldar

The Gay parade continues here. Whoever paid you is paying you too much now. Where exactly is OS X “Limited”? Where is Windows “unlimited? Nobody argued for one second that PC hardware manufacturers are “Limited” other than the respondents here like you. This article is about Sony charging for removing crapware on Windows that Windows sufferers have to deal with. Site your sources if you feel that Windows is truly full of features. Other than that we that are spoiled (Mac Users) would not stand for one second if Apple went this route and stuffed our computer with crap advertising. I would tell you and I am sure any mac user would say the same thing; I vote with my money, and if Apple decides to put crap on my machine that I don’t want, my money goes to another company. That fact that you totally avoided the main issue of this article means one of two things: you are retard and cannot comprehend what the article is stating or you are paid by a Windows proponent company that has a vested interest in marketing Windows. Either one of those solutions makes you a bad reference to listen to.
JAYGEE

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 3:57 pm · Reply

@kikamouse

You can’t think for one second that your answer actually holds any water?
kikamouse

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 4:37 pm · Reply

@ Scheduler
@ Jaygee
I am absolutely a punk and a jackass. If you think I am anything else than you deserve the bruising. I repeat, you have completely avoided what this article has stated and made no point other than personal attacks. I ask again, site your sources.
I could care less what you think of my spelling or my methods, just site your sources and I will back down. until then you have just an opinion and nothing you said is a fact.
Ampar

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 4:39 pm · Reply

“MDN and other “fan sites” show once again that they are not objective and certainly not “news” sites – but simply a RAH RAH WOO HOO fanboy site….”

Gee, you’re a little slow. Why are you here?
HMCIV

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 4:39 pm · Reply

That was a quick change of heart by Sony. I wonder if they also uninstall the rootkit?
Ampar

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 5:35 pm · Reply

“I wonder if they also uninstall the rootkit?”

Nice burn!
JAYGEE

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 5:47 pm · Reply

@kikamouse – I repeat, you have completely avoided what this article has stated and made no point other than personal attacks.

Are you serious? You said in your earlier post [Are you gay or just stupid?]. You’re just as bad.
ElderNorm

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 6:28 pm · Reply

@Scheduler

“MDN and other “fan sites” show once again that they are not objective and certainly not “news” sites – but simply a RAH RAH WOO HOO fanboy site….”

Well, since MDN just relays the articles from around the web such as CNN, PC World, CNET, etc, etc, I guess you are saying that all those sites are just fan boy sites??? LOL Please.

MDN provides a very useful service, they collect Apple related articles from around the world and present them in one place. Many of the articles are noted by readers (and so cited).

PS. if Apple can run all Windows software and Apple software, but regular PCs can only run windows software, then I would have to guess that those machines are limited in the amount of software they can run.

Just a thought.
kikamouse

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 6:34 pm · Reply

Yes I am. Prove your point by siting your sources
phantasmosxmagnum

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 6:37 pm · Reply

I’ve never understood why Sony or any one of those bigger Pee Cee manufactures don’t make their own iapps like an iLife suite to preinstall? I know Sony has a line of Winbloz softs but why don’t they make something along the lines of iLife or whatever and preinstall it or sell it at a reasonable cost? I might not be aware that they do offer this kinda package or is it possible that Microsux won’t allow it to happen as a breach of contract or something?
He's Back!

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 6:40 pm · Reply

Mad Mac Maniac is Old Mac Man, that ranting retard who goes on and on about glossy screens. I guess we know what kind of pussy would switch to Windows over glossy screens. He Old Mac Man, why don’t you cut your balls off while you are at it. You won’t be needing them anymore.
standardmess

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 6:41 pm · Reply

Citing
HueyLong

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 7:21 pm · Reply

standardmess:

Glad someone picked up that grammatical mess. I’m depressed about the standard of literacy on these sites. And yes, it really does matter.
JAYGEE

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 8:21 pm · Reply

@kikamouse – Yes I am. Prove your point by siting your sources.

You first
Walter Chillum

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 8:33 pm · Reply

Kickamouse,

If you want to make a point then do so but don’t just insult people because on the net you can get away with it. That’s just being a coward.

Scheduler,

If you’re going to insult someone then don’t just do it by insulting jackasses and lovers of punk music (like me). Do it the Australian way and let loose with all guns blazing. If you think kickamouse is only capable of kicking a mouse then just say so.

On the other hand if you think he’s a stupid low life shit-head who get’s turned on by his sister then just say so. There’s nothing wrong with letting loose when there are insulting people on the web.

Alternatively, if you think someone is a silly fsckwit then just tell them like it is.

Oh and kickamouse I don’t want you to think for one moment I would use such language to describe someone like you. I’d never use such language on the net. For you I’d need something unique; and frankly I can’t be bothered.
Buill

Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 9:00 pm · Reply

+1 for Walter Chillum, kickamouse dry humps dogs!