'Clean install' vs 'P1 bloatware removal'

I want my Z to be as silent as possible (as little fan noise as possible) and as someone else here already pointed out, having unnecessary, CPU intensive, hiden bloatware running on the background, obviously doesn't help. However, my Sony VAIO Z is coming from P1 with the 'P1 bloatware removal'. Now I was wondering; do you think it will still be of use to me to do a full clean install? Or will the hassle of doing a clean install by far nog weigh up against the tiny performance improvement that I might (or might not) get?

Thanks a lot for your thoughts!

 

Clean install is ALWAYS better in my opinion. Every one of my friend that gets a laptop asks me this question, and I simply reply, "Clean install ftw"

 

i ordere frsh start im gonna post a thread with pics battery avg, fresh start v regular keep an eye out

 

I remember heaving read somewhere that P1 does just copy an 'optimized HD' over onto the HD in the ordered unit. Now, I (of course) don't know what that 'optimized HD' looks like, but what if that really is a full clean install already? In that case such the 'P1 bloatware removal' is just as good as doing a full one yourself, correct?

I should probably e-mail P1 to ask...

 

Im not convinced - by the time you put all the updates back onto the system I dont think its really going to make a big difference. Especially as Vista learns as it goes, so it will be slower again anyway.

 

Always better than what, in your opinion?

The OP's question was not a general question about clean install vs. the way computers come from the manufacturer. He was specifically referring to P1's "bloatware removal".

You may be familiar with that, but in case your not, he is referring to a laptop retailer called Portable One. They offer as an option for most laptops they sell, including the Sonys, "bloatware removal", at no extra charge, but takes about 48 hours extra.

This sounds to me like it may give the same results as clean install. I don't know.

Perhaps you are familar with P1's Bloatware Removal, have purchased a laptop from them on which that was done, and you don't consider it as good as a clean install. If that is the case, fine, and you might be right.

However, if you are not really familiar with exactly what is done by P1 in their "bloatware removal", I don't see how you could make such a statement, that "clean install" is "always better", than it, when it might bring the exact same results, with much less hassle and time spent for the user.

 

THE VERDICT

Great news for everyone ordering from P1. I just received the following reply from Ivan about the free 'P1 bloatware removal':

edit: I guess you may say that for most people the P1 bloatware removal is better than a clean install since it saves a hell of a lot of time and trouble!

 

P1 optimization is a clean install. It is definitely worth it to save the time and effort of doing a clean install yourself. I am very happy with the SZ I have from P1, I ordered it with vista installed and P1 optimization and also got the XP optimized disk. I have used both ( ended up sticking with XP) and they worked great.

 

I have nothing against P1 but their claim is so F-up. "removing bloatware", "leaving trace" ... I bet you Sony is smarter than that. They're not going to waste time "removing" bloatware as being said by P1. Sony is actually doing the same thing as what P1 do. They have a clean system to copy over and that's it. Both should be equally the same, however, it's not unexpected to say Sony Fresh Start will give you more processes running (Sony love those small utility program running on their laptop and we all know it by now)

 

That's good news, Tomassi. Thanks.

This is from the VGN-Z590 CTO page:
"Opt for a Fresh Start™ and your VAIO PC will undergo a system optimization service where specific VAIO applications, trial software and games are removed from your unit prior to shipment. Fresh Start™ safely scrubs your PC to free up valuable hard drive space and conserve memory and processing power while maximizing overall system performance right from the start."

Sony is saying here they perform bloatware removal. So P1 is justified in what they say. P1 installs a clean image.

 

I was going to purchase the SZ notebook from P1, but then the SZ was discontinued. I bought a refurb from SonyStyle, should arrive today.

I see on the P1 website, however, that one can purchase a disc image from P1 ($29.95)(for those who did not buy their computer from them) to do it yourself. That would save a lot of time, from doing a manual clean install.

http://laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=P1RecovCDs

The only problem--they only have this for Vista Business, which is I think the only Vista flavor they sell Sony notebooks with. My notebook (which was inconfigurable, being a refurb), comes with Vista Home Premium.

What would happen if I bought that disc image for bloatware removal for Vista Business, and tried to use it on my SZ that has Vista Home Premium installed? Would it not work?

 

That depend on the license key you've got.
If you've got a Vista Business key, then its no problem.
If you've got a home premium key Business will not activate.