Question

Last time I needed a new PC, I ended up building it myself because I couldn't find a suitable PC that wasn't bloated with crapware (trial software, useless software, clogged system tray, etc--if you've ever tried to fix a friend's POS Dell, you know what I mean).

If I want to buy a PC with a bare OS only, where should I go? If it's an extra charge for a bare OS install, a hard-to-find option, or only available on certain models, please note this in your answer.

Edited to add: This is just a single PC to be purchased for my use and I'd prefer to buy online.

Edited again to add: Yes, I know you can format and install the OS. I also could build my own. I just want to buy something easily that's not filled with crap.

Answer 1

Dell's Vostro product line was created for this market (no crapware). The computers are not half bad either.

Answer 2

Download an OEM Windows install disk, and use the sticker on the back of the PC as the activation code. That way, you can just buy any PC and blank the OS right away. Dells are nice because they list all their drivers in one place when you type in the short service code (Also on the back of the PC).

WARNING:

Download the network drivers ahead of time.

Answer 3

Dell Small Business PCs usually don't come with any crapware, and for most of the rest you can simply select the option to not install any extra software.

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2007/06/18/18049.aspx

Answer 4

Of course, the most obvious answer is to buy a Mac, all of which ship without crapware by default.

Of course, Macs are expensive and (this may be an advantage) they come without Windows (though you can install Windows via a virtual machine).

Answer 5

I used PC Decrapifier with reasonable success when I purchased my HP laptop a few years back. There were a few things left that I had to manually remove, but the software did speed up the process considerably.

Answer 6

Most OEM companies have a bare metal option for the systems they sell. Most companies that buy computers for commercial use are rarely interested or amused at the extra cost associated with all this extra bloat.

I would talk to someone that has a little more clout than just a saleroom sales associate as these folks just know the models in the showroom. Try to speak to someone who deals with business customers. CDW is a good source because they deal with business all the time, so a quick call to them would be illustrative of all of the bare metal OS config's they are aware of. Hope this helps....

Answer 7

I still buy from Dell, or eBay. Where ever I get the most Bang for the Buck. They all put stuff on the system I do not want. I just plan on formating the hard drives, and doing a clean install.

Answer 8

Build your own. Then it only comes with what you want on it and it has exactly the hardware you want.

But I'm guessing the thrust of your question was that you didn't want to do the work...

While some manufacturers have a crap-fee option, keep in mind that that "crapware" is part of what is keeping the price down. If it shaves some $$$ off the price I'll gladly take the extra time to remove it later.