Fact Check: Are HP and Acer Laptops Slower Due to Preinstalled Software?

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Multiple viral social media posts claimed that HP and Acer laptops perform slower than competing brands due to excessive preinstalled software, commonly known as “bloatware.” Our fact-check indicates that actual performance differences between brands primarily stem from hardware specifications rather than preinstalled software quantities.

Social Media Posts 

A viral post claims that HP and Acer notebooks run slower than competitors because they ship packed with “bloatware” (trial apps, utilities, etc.). And the post, indicate that HP and Acer laptops are unsuitable to buy as a new laptop.Apart from that it shows a link and criticize a brand type of PC. However, we found that the icon in the web page had been removed from the site and therefore we skipped it.So in this fact check, we are focusing on HP and Acer related claims.

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Below is the explanation for this.

Explanation

Do HP and Acer laptops come with more preinstalled programs (“bloatware”) than other brands?

Almost every Windows PC maker includes extra software on new computers. These programs can affect performance, but this isn’t a problem unique to HP or Acer, and it’s rarely the main reason for a slow laptop. Research shows that while factory bloatware can slow startup times and use system resources, the actual speed of a laptop depends much more on its hardware components. Let’s look at the evidence:

Tech reviewers confirm that all major PC brands include additional apps and trial software. A 2024 TechRadar guide states that “even the best Windows laptops and PCs come loaded with bloatware.”

A 2018 study found that all manufacturers include some unnecessary programs. While one report did identify Lenovo and HP as having more bloatware and Dell as having less, Acer also includes its own tools like “Acer Care Center” and security applications. The key point: HP and Acer aren’t outliers – all computer manufacturers (OEMs) include extra software.

These preinstalled programs include necessary drivers and security trials (like Norton or McAfee) as well as brand-specific utilities (such as backup tools and update managers). Many of these programs automatically run when you start your computer. Xataka explains that these background programs “contribute to slowing down the computer.” TechRadar agrees, noting that bloatware uses disk space and RAM, “potentially slowing down your system.” So any computer with lots of extra software may be slower when first used.

Does having more preinstalled software from the factory make these laptops slower when first used?

Industry tests confirm that PCs without extra apps boot and run noticeably faster. Microsoft’s “Signature Edition” PCs (which ship no third-party software) serve as the control: on average they startup ~104% faster and last ~28 more minutes on a battery than identical models with OEM bloatware installed. In plain terms, stripping out all the vendor-addons roughly doubles boot speed on average. This matches benchmarks: a 2015 Computerworld report found Signature (bloat-free) PCs boot far quicker than their bogged-down counterparts .More details can be read here in Computerworld.

However, real-world reviews show that hardware specs usually dominate performance. For example, a 2019 LaptopMag review of an Acer Aspire E15 (a sub-$500 laptop) found “severe slowdowns” when running normal tasks on its low-end Core i3 CPU, 6GB RAM, and 5,000 RPM hard drive .The reviewer noted that removing bloatware did not fix its sluggishness – even after uninstalling preinstalled Norton and other trial software, the machine took over 4 minutes to restart. And it simply couldn’t keep up with multiple browser tabs due to its weak processor and slow disk. In short, that Acer was slow, but for the same reason a cheap HP or any budget laptop would be low-end CPU/RAM/drive, not just its factory apps.

Is the performance of HP and Acer laptops significantly worse compared to competitors because of factory-installed programs?

We did not find any independent 2024 tests showing HP or Acer out of the box run slower than Lenovo, Dell, etc. It’s generally accepted that all brands preload non-essential software. In fact, even Microsoft’s own site notes that some Acer and HP laptops ship in “S Mode” (a locked Windows 11 variant) with only Store apps – again a choice by the manufacturer, not an inherent speed issue. Any performance differences between brands are typically due to hardware choices (e.g. using an SSD vs. HDD, amount of RAM, or power settings), not merely the count of startup apps.

In older comparisons, Dell claimed it preloaded “less than half” as many apps as other OEMs, but HP’s user interface and security suites often contain their own Windows enhancements (like HP Support Assistant) that may run automatically. Likewise, Acer includes Acer Collection apps on its devices. The Xataka analysis concluded that every vendor abused bloatware to some degree, and users overwhelmingly ask all brands for cleaner installs.

Can Uninstalling Bloatware Restore Speed? (Yes)

The good news is that almost all unwanted apps can be uninstalled or disabled. Windows lets users remove trial ware and vendor utilities via Settings > Apps. Many tech sites even recommend doing a “clean install” of Windows for a truly fresh start. As the Computerworld guide notes, it’s common and easy to remove this software – and doing so can markedly improve responsiveness. (Microsoft’s Signature PCs are effectively Windows installs without OEM extras.) In practice, once the out-of-box setup is done or the extra programs are uninstalled, an HP or Acer laptop performs like any other with similar specs. More details can be read here.

Conclusion 

The claim that HP and Acer laptops are slower than competitors due to preinstalled software is Missing Context. While both brands do ship devices with bloatware, this practice is common across nearly all PC manufacturers. Independent reviews show that real-world performance depends far more on hardware components such as CPU, RAM, and storage. Removing or disabling unnecessary apps usually restores normal speed, meaning HP and Acer are not uniquely disadvantaged compared to other brands.