Sony Retracts Bloatware Removal Fee

Yesterday it became known that Sony started offering 'crapware' free versions of certain Vaio models. The 'Fresh Start' option would 'safely scrub' your new computer free of trial versions of software; often called bloatware or crapware; for an additional $50.
As of today, Sony is retracting the 'Fresh Start' upcharge and offering the option free.

"We want Vaio users to have the best experience possible with our PCs, and we believe Fresh Start will help ensure that happens right out-of-the-box," the company said in a statement.
Sony earlier justified the fee by saying it covers removal of the unwanted software before shipment.

The Vaio TZ2000 and Vaio TZ2500 notebooks with the Windows Vista Business OS are the models Fresh Start is available on. Customers who buy these laptops are already paying an additional $100 to upgrade to Windows Vista Business OS from Windows Vista Home Premium.
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