Microsoft and OEMs: New game, new rules

[Brink]

PC makers and Microsoft have enjoyed a mostly stable relationship that has lasted for some three decades. But times, and competition, have changed. Microsoft’s latest moves are a sane reaction to partners that have drifted away.

Read more at:
Microsoft and OEMs: New game, new rules | ZDNet

 

[gregrocker]

This is fair play when the OEM's only want to lard more preinstalled sponsors' crapware and useless utiltiies which interfere with Win7 into their rigs. These throttle the first feather-light Windows and cause issues with all of the freeloaders starting up with Windows.

MS reacted with stasis to this for so long. It was hard to find any resources on clean reinstalling factory OEM on their forums and they actually discouraged it for way too long by making the installer ISO unavailable by legal fiat. Tech enthusiasts who will only run a Clean Reinstalled Factory OEM were made to feel like pirates for wanting to get the most out of their property.

Only recently do they seem to have gotten that having a clean installed OS unhindered by crapware is even a marketable commodity itself. It sure has kept us busy here.

 

[kegobeer]

I totally agree with Microsoft's direction. I especially like the Microsoft Store, where you can buy computers crapware-free. OEMs decided to broaden their market by going to Android, so it's only fair that Microsoft redefined what their partnerships mean.

 

[bej]

A female friend of mine, who runs a business off her PC, ordered a new HP system last year. It was so full of crapware she felt the system was defective as she could not maintain her business dealings from it.
She contacted HP, sent the unit back, and told them to either send her a "clean" system or refund her money.
Believe it or not, the system was returned with a clean OS.

 

[bassfisher6522]

I wish that MS would use a voucher on a retail PC. When You buy a retail PC, it's with out an OS and with the purchase of the PC you choose what OS you would like and then redeem the voucher. I don't know how the logistics would work but I think the theory is sound.

 

[gregrocker]

They did this essentially with the Win7 Upgrade Kits. In order to keep PC sales up just before Win7 release, they offered manufacturers free Upgrades to Win7 but only if they agreed to provide a clean-copy Installation DVD in the kit.

It was too much for even the the most morbidly obese bloatware mongers to pass up, but some did contort themselves with accompanying crapware staging or apps disks that could be blessedly ignored.

I believe those Win7 installation disks were retail OEM disks because several users reported here that they used them on other machines but that they could not then migrate. They didn't have OEM branding or SLP activation slipstreamed in - as though MS told OEM's to keep their hands off. And each OEM used a fulfillment agency for these, so MS may have not even allowed the OEM's to touch them.

They may have gotten their fill then of the OEM's desperation to enforce bloatware to boost their profit margins while keeping prices competitive. Most will still tell customers they're not allowed to Clean Reinstall on their own machines.

 

[Layback Bear]

Microsoft could go like Apple. You buy Apples computer with their chosen dedicated hardware and of course the operating system. It comes as a package. I do believe Microsoft can and will sell computers with Windows installed clean as a package. Computer with all it's hardware, operating system, all Microsoft approved tools, anti virus, firewall. One clean package.

 

[Trucidation]

Isn't the crapware on those systems in the first place due to deals for the OEMs in exchange for lower prices or something? I know we like to rag on big bad business and all, but they do things for profit, not for shits and giggles. Their staff can't all be morons and not realise their software has a noticeable impact on the performance of their machines.

 

[Nigsy]

but they do things for profit, not for shits and giggles. .

Quote of the week and it's only Monday!!

But your right. The reason they can do it is all about price and the deals they provide, not just for themselves, branded HP software etc but also using 'sponsored software' such as Norton trial software, that Norton must pay some money towards to have PC manufacturers include this on their setups.

Like the earlier car example - If you go to the Ford garage to buy a new Ford, they also offer extra warranties, loads of leaflets for things like, local restaurants, breakdown assist even bank accounts, this is just the same as the 'Bloatware' installed on a retail PC, you don't want it but they stick it in the glove box anyway - Then spam your email account with follow up offers!!

 

[Trucidation]

Well to be honest, if I could do things for shits and giggles while making a profit, I would. Totally.

 

[solarmystic]

Microsoft pushes the benchmark in their Signature products; other OEMs flock to emulate the same experience for their own devices. No more crapware on their hardware. Consumers gain a minty fresh out of the box Windows experience thats blazing fast. Consumers win.

The consumer only stands to gain from this.

 

[Dave76]

"minty fresh" :huh:

It's more like the dense blue acrid smoke of burning rubber

 

[gregrocker]

Because it's so fast, right?