newbie to notebook question

I'm planning on getting my first notebook (been building my own PC for a number of years). I've heard that most if not all notebooks come with pre-installed "bloatware". Is this stuff easily removeable? I've heard people recommending a fresh OS install, but do these notebooks come with the OS discs or just a recovery disc that automatically includes the bloatware?
Sorry for the noob question but I've got the notebook bug and want to get one yesterday, but don't want to make the wrong decision.

Thanks

p.s.

I've narrowed down choices to HP 6500, 9500 or Lenovo R61 or a Dell Inspiron

 

You can uninstall most bloatware (with the Microsoft Office Trial and Microsoft Office Activation Assistant giving people the most problems) just as you would any other program. I prefer just doing a fresh install. It's simpler and faster than going through each application, and you are guaranteed to get rid of all of it.

HP ships each unit with a Microsoft Vista Upgrade Anytime DVD (which is essentially a Windows Vista install disk without a COA). Don't buy HP's recovery disks if you plan on avoiding bloatware, because they are packed with it. The DVD is supposed to encourage users to upgrade Vista, but since they contain all 32-bit versions of Vista on the disk, most users have found them to be very helpful when doing fresh installs.

Performing a fresh install with the Upgrade Anytime DVD is relatively painless, and with a few extra steps, you can avoid phone activation too (by using the already activated factory key). There are a few guides here and there that can show you how to do this. I like this one: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

 

thanks so much for that informative reply. I'm gonna nix the extra HP recovery disk. At this time I'm look at an HP 9500 (retail variant) at Costco.

It comes with: C2D 7300 processor; 2 gb RAM; 320gb HD; Nvidia graphics 256mb (discrete); Lightscribe dvd burner; wireless 802.11a/b/g/pre-n (whatever that means?); web cam, remote and 5 in 1 card reader.

It goes on a coupon special 8/20-8/26 for $1299.99

How does this sound?

 

The specs looks good. I wished Costco had the specials when I bought mine... dv2000z variant. N is supposed to be the next wi-fi standard but since there's no set standard parameters yet it's called a pre-N. You have the option of making a recovery disc once you get your laptop. Also there's a recovery partition on the HD just in case too. Take care in doing a recovery install.. mine took an amazing.... 3 hours! Making a recovery disc takes at least 45 minutes.

 

Does this mean anytime upgrade DVD includes all four, basic+premium+business+ultimate?...meaning you can fresh install Ultimate even you ordered the laptop with Premium?
Sorry if misunderstood.

 

No, not unless you have a product key for that specific Vista version. If you purchased a system with Vista Home Basic, then your product key will only activate Home basic. The version of Vista depends on the key not the disc.

 

Oh, damn, the key...I was wishing at least . Thanks for clearing that up for me.