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Laptops free of Windows bloatware?

N

niploteksi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 11, 2016
201
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Anyone tried laptops like the Asus Pure concept (or any other brands claiming similar concept)? I'm a bit curious if they are truly free of bloatware.

Currently in the market for a new laptop, and I'm considering my options. I'm mostly on Android and Windows these days. I ordered the new Macbook Pro, but changed my mind.
 
niploteksi said:
Anyone tried laptops like the Asus Pure concept (or any other brands claiming similar concept)? I'm a bit curious if they are truly free of bloatware.

Currently in the market for a new laptop, and I'm considering my options. I'm mostly on Android and Windows these days. I ordered the new Macbook Pro, but changed my mind.
Click to expand...
Back when I used Windows on my own computers, the first thing I always did was to download any necessary drivers, and then reinstall only the operating system from scratch.

Nowadays even that isn't always that easy. I helped the neighbor kid build and install his first gaming computer a few months ago, and there literally was no option in the installers to install only the base stuff while ensuring all necessary drivers got on board. Makes you wonder how interested the likes of MSI really are in having gamer kids flock to their brand, if the first thing they do is reduce game performance...
 
My Surface Book only had Windows 10 Pro and other associated Microsoft software, not had an issue. In the past I would always format and reinstall Windows clean, as a result I rarely incurred any issue or needed to reinstall the OS.

Still have an old HP kicking around bought in 2009 still running it's original OS (clean install) even after being abused by non tech family members. Once cleaned up, it runs as well as it ever did, would probably run better with W10. All the junk that's preinstalled only serves one purpose $$$$...

Q-6
 
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Bloatware is mostly found on consumer grade laptops and desktops. If you buy a business class laptop like the Dell Latitude or Precision, you get no bloatware.

It's been a while since I last bought a new PC laptop but I always wiped the drive and re-installed the OS with an ISO downloaded from MS. And with W10 it's easier because most drivers for most hardware components are already in the kernel (kinda like Linux). You are up and running as soon as the installation of the OS finishes.
 
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Fancuku said:
Bloatware is mostly found on consumer grade laptops and desktops. If you buy a business class laptop like the Dell Latitude or Precision, you get no bloatware.

It's been a while since I last bought a new PC laptop but I always wiped the drive and re-installed the OS with an ISO downloaded from MS. And with W10 it's easier because most drivers for most hardware components are already in the kernel (kinda like Linux). You are up and running as soon as the installation of the OS finishes.
Click to expand...

I've been eyeing the Precision 5000. Wiping and reinstalling is of course an option, but it would be handy to just have it clean from the start.
 
Technarchy said:
I can't imagine this being an issue on Microsoft branded machines.
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Yes it is,at least when bought in large electronics stores in Sweden. It's a way to pay for windows software by installing stuff that's supposed to make you sign up for subscriptions or buy cleaning software.
 
niploteksi said:
I've been eyeing the Precision 5000. Wiping and reinstalling is of course an option, but it would be handy to just have it clean from the start.
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The Precision 5520 (I'm assuming that's the one you are looking at) is the exact same machine as the XPS 15 but it has a faster processor and the nVidia Quadro graphics since it's a workstation. The XPS 15 uses the GTX 1050. The XPS will be a lot better for games while the 5520 will be better suited for CAD.
 
The problem with these smaller companies that build custom computers or companies like Razer is the support after the sale. You are probably on your own after you buy.
 
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Christoffee said:
What about these guys: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

I've been curious if they do bloat free computers.
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They do look interesting, but they are not in my country and I prefer to have people I can go and argue with.
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Fancuku said:
The Precision 5520 (I'm assuming that's the one you are looking at) is the exact same machine as the XPS 15 but it has a faster processor and the nVidia Quadro graphics since it's a workstation. The XPS 15 uses the GTX 1050. The XPS will be a lot better for games while the 5520 will be better suited for CAD.
Click to expand...

I don't really care about graphics. I want reasonable portability, preferably 32 GB ram, two SSD and as much cpu as I can fit. Basically I want a desktop that I can carry around in my pocket. :rolleyes:

The configs available at the PCspecialist were really nice.
 
Stefan johansson said:
Yes it is,at least when bought in large electronics stores in Sweden. It's a way to pay for windows software by installing stuff that's supposed to make you sign up for subscriptions or buy cleaning software.
Click to expand...

What bloatware is included in the surface line of products?
 
Thanks for the good advice, everyone. I think I'm going to see if I can get my hands on the Dell Precision and try it out.
 
Fancuku said:
Bloatware is mostly found on consumer grade laptops and desktops. If you buy a business class laptop like the Dell Latitude or Precision, you get no bloatware.
Click to expand...

Having set up plenty of Laptops that came with Windows Pro on them, one of the lists of tasks I would do would be to get rid of stupidly redundant 3rd party software that duplicated things the OS did better.

Like ProSET Wireless. Why is that a thing? It needlessly wrestles with the Windows OS which does a perfectly fine job of picking up WiFi.

Dell and other manufactures also have binaries that are running in the background looking for updates. Pains in the proverbial. Windows can again look for most of those updates. Otherwise, if you're a techy person, you can look for updates directly from Device Manager.

Just my 2¢ on hating bloatware.
 
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To be honest Microsoft actually puts things in itself now even on Signature Edition laptops.

Candy Crush... Amazon... amongst the many things we never ask for.. but get anyway.

Even on a fresh install. It's a shame.
 
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Queen6 said:
As does Apple, nor is it bloat in the typical sense as it doesn't interfere with the usage of the system.

Q-6
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iWork is not bloatware.. care to elaborate on what you're referring to on macOS?

There's certainly no commercial interest on Apple's part by including iWork. Nor is it third party developed. It's truly an integral part of the Mac Experience.
 
Queen6 said:
Same as you stated applications unwanted by the end user...

Q-6
Click to expand...

It's not bloatware. It's core to macOS and the package you buy when you purchase a new Mac.

You don't exactly buy a new Windows 10 PC because Microsoft talked about the benefits of the Amazon shortcut or the Candy Crush app do you?

You can ignore it, but there sure is a difference between iWork: a useful, full featured Office suite of productivity apps and shortcuts to third party paid services and apps with commercial interest.
 
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SB-MBP said:
It's not bloatware. It's core to macOS and the package you buy when you purchase a new Mac.

You don't exactly buy a new Windows 10 PC because Microsoft talked about the benefits of the Amazon shortcut or the Candy Crush app do you?

You can ignore it, but there sure is a difference between iWork: a useful, full featured Office suite of productivity apps and shortcuts to third party paid services and apps with commercial interest.
Click to expand...

Problem as has been explained to you is jumped you into both Windows & Linux with little experience, it didn't work out how you expected and even when members offered help you remained hostile due to your fixed perceptions.

My own W10 system has pretty much came with zero bloat, shortcuts to the MS store were easily removed, nor does it advertise or promote 3rd party applications. What your talking about is insignificant as can be removed or ignored, exactly the same a Garage Band or Chess on the Mac.

The bloat we are referring to here is enforced AV that's frequently difficult to remove, trail-ware, poorly optimised provider App's etc. Many of the Windows OEMs business models rely on the same to keep the price down, for those with smaller budgets.

Personally Apple, i'll do internet recovery and strip out what I don't need, Windows depending on the hardware clean install or theses days prefer to look to a signature addition of Windows 10 Pro

Q-6
 
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