Late last week, Sony started offering US shoppers looking to buy a Vaio laptop PC online the option to have it customised by removing the dozens of trial programs and little-used vanity applications that typically come with a new Windows computer.
Only problem is, it was charging $50 (£25) to do a little housecleaning – something that was akin to asking for extra cash just to provide a usable computer instead of one with the normal bloated Windows installation.
Come Sunday, however, and acres of negative press coverage have seen Sony quietly drop the ‘Fresh Start’ charge.
Back-door charges
American shoppers at Sony Style now have the option to choose “a system optimization service where specific VAIO applications, trial software and games are removed from [the] unit prior to shipment” at absolutely no cost. Gasp – what generosity!
However, a closer look at the rest of the build-to-order options reveals that the free Fresh Start is available only to customers choosing Windows Vista Business, which costs $100 (£50) over the Home Premium edition anyway.
Moreover, going for the pared-down installation also bars customers from benefiting from plenty of software they might actually want at OEM prices, such as MS Works and QuickBooks Simple Start. Sigh – swings and roundabouts, anyone?