We all know that Microsoft doesn't actually make computers. It makes the software, and then lets an almost infinite amount of manufacturers build computers that can run its software. These manufacturers often make a mess of things, delivering computers filled to the brim with crapware. What would happen if Microsoft made computers? Well, for one, they would be void of crapware. Two, they would help users install the software they want before leaving the store - including software from competitors.
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Member since:2009-02-19
Not that it's relevant to the article, but my $1400 at-the-time Acer Z96J is still going strong after about 18 months. And it's survived enough drops, bumps and other abuse to crack the case. And it works almost perfectly with Ubuntu 8.10. 
Vaguely on-topic, I always find it extremely funny when OS vendors or partisans start boasting about the level of functionality provided by a clean install of their OS, or criticizing the level of crapware that comes with a competitor's OS. Most Linux distros have far more functionality built in, in terms of useful and productive applications, than either Mac OS X or Windows, and never come with crapware. (Go ahead, someone complain about Mono being crapware, and feel all witty; I mean "useless trial software and demos".)
Not that Linux distros don't have problems, but lacking useful software, or coming loaded with boatloads of garbageware aren't one of them; this is one area where Linux distros come out waaaaay ahead of the competition.
Edited 2009-10-29 20:08 UTC
Member since:
2006-04-05
i have to agree, my acer computer died pretty much right after the warranty went out. motherboard failure. got a dell now, and much happier with it. much better from a quality standpoint.