What is Manufacturer Bloat
Bloatware and trialware refer to PC manufacturers' habit of pre-loading trial versions of commercial software on a new PC in the hope that some will upgrade to paid editions. PC manufacturers (and other OEMs) are paid by trialware creators and receive a portion of the revenue from any user upgrades. Unlike trialware however, most PC manufactures also install addition bloatware in the form of extra PC utilities. These could include things like DVD burners, media centers for viewing videos or pictures as well as bundled OEM game centers. Although such utilities seem like a nice including with a new PC, most already exist in one form or another within the Windows Operating System by default.
Toshiba laptops come pre-installed with dozens of both commercial trial software as well as Toshiba utilities known as 'Features and Utilities'. Many pre-installed features and utilities are very useful features, however, many could be safely removed in order to clean up your PC. Most of the utilities are located using the search feature located in the START menu. These items can also be found using a drill-down method under START > ALL PROGRAMS in the TOSHIBA folder. Additionally, the bundled TOSHIBA Value Added Package (TVAP) provides a number of utilities including the TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool, TOSHIBA Password Utility (lets you set and maintain password security that restricts access to the computer) and the TOSHIBA eco Utility which provides extended power control options to our customers over devices in Toshiba notebooks.
Sony has been criticized for loading its VAIO laptops with bloatware, or ineffective and unrequested software that supposedly allows the user to immediately use the laptop for multimedia purposes. Sony also offers a Fresh start option in some countries which allows a new computer to be shipped only with a basic Windows operating system and very little trial software pre-installed. The built-in webcam software in VAIO notebooks is the ArcSoft WebCam suite. It includes a set of special effects called Magic-i visual effects, providing users the ability to enhance the images and videos taken through the webcam. It also features a face detection feature. Certain Sony proprietary software programs such as Click to Disc Editor, VAIO Movie Story, VAIO Music Box and VAIO Media Plus are also included with various models.
Lenovo computers come pre-installed with software that you may not need. This often includes trial versions of anti-virus software, various security software such as facial-recognition, pc optimizations programs, backup apps, dvd burners and media players. This software, also known as bloatware, slows down your brand new computer and uses valuable resources.
Dell had been criticized for pre-installing a number of trialware and other bundleware with its desktop and laptops, but after strong customer feedback agreed to offer limited pre-installed software on its machines. Purchasers of Dimension desktops, Inspiron notebooks and XPS PCs can now elect within Dell's online order form to block the installation of various trail commercial software including Internet service provider software, productivity software, and photo and music software. Dell however continues to install additional programs on new computers, including trial versions of antivirus software, Adobe's Acrobat Reader and Google or Bing's toolbars depending on the PC model.
HP like most PC manufacturers engage in the pre-installation of various types of bloat and trialware. Recently, HP released a new service when purchasing a PC (typically for business customers) called HP Premier Image. Premier Image includes the full suite of business software with bundled anti-virus protection, while eliminating trialware and other crapware. The cleaner image eases business computer IT deployment, management and support. This helps with the nags and pop-ups that annoy users with irritating offers for trialware as well as reduction in consumer focused games and the links that promote e-commerce sites including the standard Amazon and eBay desktop links.
Below is a list of ASUS utilities that may come pre-installed with a new ASUS notebook. If you're unsure about which utilities are useful or safe to uninstall, this list should give you some insight.
Acer laptops typically come bundled with a number of both installed utilities as well as try before you buy commercial software. Out of the box, this includes programs for playing media such as the Nero and CyberLink line of trialware, backup utilties such as MyWinLocker Suite and the typical OEM utilities for managing Acer updates and registration.