Recommended brands

[sam_p_lay]

Can anybody recommend a laptop/netbook brand that pre-installs little to no stuff as standard? Every brand I've ever used comes absolutely packed with stuff I don't want on there and it would be good to not have to waste time clearing it all out.

 

[HugoStiglitz]

every brand is going to have their bloatware installed. every laptop i get i reload and start fresh with basic drivers.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Some have a lot more than others though... my brother's girlfriend just bought an Asus with TWO antivirus programs installed, made the system barely usable right out the box. Some are definitely a lot worse than others.

 

[WR2]

Buy a laptop without an OS and install your own. Or order a custom laptop from a boutique builder who will follow your instructions.

It will cost a bit more to but it's the only way you'll avoid pre-installed software and 'trialware'.
Laptop companies make a lot of money selling the right to add software packages.

 

[WR2]

http://www.xoticpc.com/ is a good example of the boutique builders who can put a laptop together for you, the way you want it.

Choice of OS (or even no OS on some models) and an option to keep the factory install or get a custom clean install for $29

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[yasir siddiqui]

My choice is lenovo laptops.

 

[sam_p_lay]

WR2 - So Xotic PC is just a retailer that changes the hard disk contents before selling it?

Yasir - No bloatware on Lenovo laptops then?

 

[WR2]

Xotic PC is a custom laptop builder. No, they do a lot more than do clean OS installs.
Depending on the model selected, they can offer options not available on major brand retail laptops.

Lenovo's are loaded with bloatware too.

 

[AntiZig]

xoticpc can ship you a blank unformatted HDD machine, if you have your own copy of win7 available.

 

[WR2]

Another option is to run PC Decrapifier.
It's not as good as a true clean install but will be 'good enough' for most people.