Earlier quoted context omitted.
ahhh but where are you purchasing this "new" computer? It'd be foolish to assume that all new devices are clean.
There are classic cases of machines being intercepted in the post (including the cipher machines posted to the US Embassy in Moscow!). But if you go pick out a machine from a store and take it home immediately then the chances of it having something preinstalled specifically to target you is nil.
Well, the chances of having government installed malware is nil ;)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfish#Lenovo_security_inci...
(Kidding aside, purchasing a laptop at a store then wiping it is probably reasonably secure for even more paranoid users)