I don’t even think the real issue here is the crapware. Sure, the laptop would be a lot better without it, but if it subsidises cost, then you could make a case

I don’t even think the real issue here is the crapware. Sure, the laptop would be a lot better without it, but if it subsidises cost, then you could make a case for it. I think the bigger issue is the lack of quality control. If you want to put crapware on a device and sell it to people, at least make sure it is moderately efficient and test that the final product is usable. If the final product is not fit for function, it should not be sold (or alternatively no one should buy it). In this specific case, it’s really impressive how they’ve made surveillance software (which shouldn’t need to do THAT much) so resource hungry. I don’t think selling utter shit that’s not fit for purpose is a software/hardware industry thing though.