If you're installing linux, why not just re-install windows? A fresh windows install == no third party bloatware. My biggest problem with windows is the lack of a proper shell (without install cygwin)
Are they really? I still have to unplug one of my monitors during Ubuntu install because otherwise it just doesn't work. I also still have issues with setting up dual boot with Windows as the installer can't setup partitions properly (in some cases at least).
Unfortunately even if you install cygwin, you're still limited in what you can do - cygwin doesn't handle dynamic compilation very well (like using 'pip'), among other things. Lack of a usable command line is what pushed me to switching to Ubuntu for my primary OS.
Ah yes - I forgot to mention. To add insult to injury, there's no CD - a proper copy or "recovery" disc. Pretty common in the UK these days, certainly for budget systems.
