Preinstalled Rubbish;
PC / Laptop manufacturers insist on clogging up brand new computers with proprietary software.
For example, if I purchase a new laptop from say, Acer, I expect a clean, quick system. But what do I get instead? A Windows installation riddled with Acers own-brand crapware and software packages that add "value" to the overall computer but infact no one ever uses.
What should you do when purchasing a new laptop/desktop? Head straight to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall all that crap!
Printer Software;
When I buy a printer, I buy it to print. Not to spend fifteen minutes installing/reinstalling the manufacturers' "utilities" and "photo editing software". I just want a disc, with the drivers on it and nothing more. I dont want a tray icon and pop up notifications about printer software updates. I dont want a toolbar added to my browser. I dont want animated notifications of a smiling printer every time I click the print button.
Norton Internet Security;
Symantec Norton. That name will strike fear into the heart of any I.T Professional. Norton is simply a false sense of security. I have come across so many computers, with Norton installed, and quantities of malware & viruses. Even their own un-installer doesn't work. Avoid.
Laptop battery care;
Manufacturers of laptops should be obligated, by law, to inform consumers on how to care for their battery. Millions of laptop owners have no idea that using their laptop from the mains power, with the battery in, knackers it. An alarming number of people are under the impression that a laptop battery cannot even be removed, or the laptop will not function without it.
Then average-joe wonders why his laptop battery only lasted 8 months. Ah well, he can just claim a new one under the 12 month warranty right? Wrong. The majority of manufacturers, including the big Acer and HP/Compaq, THEY ONLY COVER THE BATTERY FOR 6 MONTHS
Printer Cartridges;
Where do I start. We all know what a rip-off inkjet cartridges are, so I'll spare you the rant. However, take a moment to consider just how damaging to the environment and resources printer cartridges are. When are we going to start holding these bastard manufacturers responsible for their own waste? Its a tiny bit of ink, stored in an oversized plastic housing, padded out with foam inside, then with numerous tear off strips on the outside, followed by a cellophane vacuum covering, then a cardboard box with the cartridge name/model, followed finally by a plastic outter that you can't get into with anything short of a machete knife.