From the Dark Side--PCs come loaded with Crapware

According to Computer.net, Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal counted more than two dozen "craplets" loaded on his new Sony laptop PC. Crapware is useless software or files added on in the hopes that one will use it and pay for it, thus elevating the financial return for selling the PC. Yes, Apple provides some trial software as well, most notably Microsoft Office and Apple's iWork, but it doesn't place an icon on your desktop nor increase the startup time. Mossberg's Sony laptop takes over two minutes to startup compared with around 30 seconds for a MacBook.

Here's a list of the craplets on Mossberg's PC laptop:

• Two desktop icons for America Online services
  
• At least two dozen icons for random offers
  
• Two desktop icons for Microsoft services
  
• Napster window in the lower right part of the screen
  
• "Watch Hit Movies Now!" icon which requires you to pay to play the movies already taking up space on your computer
  
• Internet Explorer preloaded with AOL toolbar
  
• AOL set as default search engine with Google not even listed as an option
  
• Symantec Internet Security 60-day trial (requires multiple rounds of warnings/scans/updates before use)

Aren't you glad you use a Mac? More... [Dana Baggett]