Geek Squad - Best Buy
If there is one thing that I have had a serious dislike for, it is junkware that comes on new computers such as Dell, HP, etc. Junkware is defined (by me) as the useless programs that computer manufacturers put on their retail machine to get some kick backs. Also known as bloatware or crapware, this extra software can be the cause of system slow downs and other performance issues, which brings me to the point of this post. According to the NY Times, Best Buy is now offering to remove these incessant programs for $30 through it’s Geek Squad computer support.
Software companies pay hundreds of millions of dollars to PC makers like Hewlett-Packard to install their photo tools, financial programs and other products, usually with some tie-in to a paid service or upgrade. With margins growing thinner than most laptops, this critical revenue can make the difference between profit and loss for the computer makers, industry analysts say.
If the programs are removed, the software makers gain no value out of the $2 to $10 they typically pay H. P. and others to install them on each PC — and PC makers miss out on their cut from revenue-sharing deals. But Best Buy, the nation’s largest electronics retailer, tells computer buyers that the preinstalled software, also known as bloatware, can clutter their machines and slow them down.
“You’d be surprised how often consumers tell us to get rid of it,” said Robert Stephens, the head of Geek Squad, the technical support division of Best Buy that removes the software. He declined to say how many people were paying for the service, but said that “it’s going to increase in popularity.”
I don’t think that comes as any surprise to anyone, let alone techs that have heard this many, many times. Some other computer makers are following suit such as HP. Starting next year the company’s new computers would point users to a web site where they can buy and download games, productivity software and other programs. This will eventually replace the traditional junkware installations. Other companies have offered “opt-out” programs such as Dell & Sony.
This service is becoming more and more popular, hopefully we are seeing the end of this scourge.
