XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#1

Post by nichbarry » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 12:55 AM UTC

Hello, I recently had the chance to use a Dell XPS Developer Edition - gr8 m@chine

However, a few things about the expserience left me saying "hm"

For example - Firefox did not come pre-installed - but Chrome and Chromium were.

Additionally, Ubuntu Software Center did not come pre-installed - a special edition called Ubuntu Software was installed instead - that pushed Transmission as it's marquee app (and was otherwise faulty).

Have we really come full circle here? Is this old news? Has any one seen something similar?

Re: XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#2

Post by moon_of_moon » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 1:21 AM UTC

it takes literally 10 minutes to wipe it, download an iso burn it to usb, stick in the jab drive and reboot and click next a few times..

Re: XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#3

Post by Esau » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 2:07 AM UTC

Personally, regardless of the OS that it comes with, I don't consider a computer mine until I perform a clean install. (I also like to know that my installation media works.)

Re: XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#4

Post by smacktoward » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 2:33 AM UTC

> Additionally, Ubuntu Software Center did not come pre-installed - a special edition called Ubuntu Software was installed instead

That's not because of anything Dell did. As of Ubuntu 16.04, Canonical retired the old Ubuntu Software Center app and replaced it with a re-badged version of GNOME Software (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Software), which is the "Ubuntu Software" app you mention. (See http://www.pcworld.com/article/3017152/linux/ubuntu-16-04-lt... for details.)

Re: XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#5

Post by veddox » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 12:20 PM UTC

moon_of_moon wrote: post #2

it takes literally 10 minutes to wipe it, download an iso burn it to usb, stick in the jab drive and reboot and click next a few times..

A bit longer than that in my experience, but yes, it isn't a major job. Unless you have lot's of settings and big backups you need to bring back...

Re: XPS Developer Edition “Bloatware”

#6

Post by bizzleDawg » Sat, Dec 24, 2016, 3:12 PM UTC

I got one a few weeks ago and the most crazy thing was that they install some software which disables the windows key (super). You have to remove dell-super-key. Something to do with licensing issues. Other than having chrome instead of FF, I've not noticed other vendor customisations.

I'd suggest as others have that a fresh install is better!