Microsoft "signature" PCs avoid trialware slowdowns

Monday, November 02, 2009

Redmond-based computing titan Microsoft has moved into the PC retail market with its "signature" line of computers, which allow for high levels of user customization and could avoid many of the system and display driver slowdowns caused by trialware or "crapware" that come with many retail PCs.

While Microsoft will sell the signature PCs at its two physical retail outlets - modeled loosely on the Apple Store and located in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California - the bulk of sales are expected to take place online. Ina Fried of CNET news says that Microsoft's goal with the signature effort is to provide consumers "what Microsoft feels is the best software experience they can have on a PC."

The computers themselves will be manufactured by the usual lineup of Windows PC makers - Acer, Sony, HP, Dell, and Lenovo - but will offer an exclusive suite of Microsoft programs, including Security Essentials, Zune 4.0, and Bing 3D Maps.

Critics of the signature PC concept assert that Microsoft is merely trying to circumvent anti-trust regulations in order to get its Windows Live Essentials suite - which is also included - on to as many PCs as possible.