Some would call this a shakedown, charging $30 to remove all the bloatware that comes preinstalled on a computer. I call it a public service, even though it’s at a price.

But Best Buy is doing it, sensing a potential revenue stream from frustrated computer users who hate the endless plethora of demo software and AOL installations that are damn near impossible to remove without an MSCE degree. I mean, other than serious cheap skates and those who already own a copy of Vista, who won’t jump at the chance to add another $30 to the bill for a clean computer? I know I would if I bought computers in a brick and mortar anymore.

Best Buy isn’t the first company to offer such a service. Sony announced earlier in the year a premium charge to ship their Vaio laptops without what they termed as “extra-ware.” And that’s a great thing. It means that computer manufacturers and retail companies are listening to their customers and giving them the choice of having a clean machine, even if it’s at an extra charge. But just consider it an upgraded model.

Now if we could only get them to sell PCs without Windows and OS X installed instead.

Hat Tip – Gizmos for Geeks