WHEN a personal computer (PC) is purchased directly from a vendor or an agent in a computer mall, all brand name machines come with built-in standard software to suit basic customer needs.
These include the standard operating systems (OS) like Windows or OS/2 and standard working software such as a spreadsheet and word processing packages. Recently, software to enable the user to access to the Internet has also been included.
If customers need additional software installed, they have what is known as 'customer's choice', which allows them to choose whatever additional software they may need.
Vendors such as HP believe that customers need software (whether pre-loaded or installed later by them) to increase their productivity when using their PCs.
Marketing development manager for Hewlett-Packard Hong Kong, Daniel Suen, said: 'The small office/home office (SOHO) user looks for software products that will help his productivity, like organiser software, word processors, spreadsheets and the Windows operating environment.
'Meanwhile home users go for productivity also, but mainly for edutainment, software packages such as CD-ROM titles and also communications software. So, the company tries to provide these software packages with its PCs.' Most vendors provide the standard packages, but some try to give the customer a total product (a PC with the right software on board) for their money. Others provide unique types of software with their machines.
Managing director of Acer Computer (Far East), Michael Mak, said: 'Our machines all come with the best software on board, so that the customer will get a really good deal for his money and [software] to suite his total requirements.' He said the Acer machines came with standard software such as Microsoft Office 95 and multimedia capabilities on board. There are also plenty of educational programs such as Info Media and Encarta.