John Gruber quotes: :
The problem is a lack of respect for the consumer. The manufacturers don’t act as if the computer belongs to you. They act as if it is a billboard for restricted trial versions of software and ads for Web sites and services that they can sell to third-party companies who want you to buy these products. ()
John adds:
That really nails it: A total and utter lack of respect for the consumer. Apple is the one and only PC maker that sees the first-run experience as an opportunity to make you happy, rather than as an opportunity to make a few bucks by showing you ads and stuffing trialware down your throat.
Apple does this better than anyone else, yes, no question, no debate, no argument.
But…
They have started pushing .Mac in the installation. And if you say no, they offer to give you a free trial.
.Mac is widely regarded as crap by the Mac community, and the reputation is completely deserved. I made the utter mistake of buying it, and haven’t been able to get it to work even once.
Apple should a) fix it, b) make it free, and c) stop pushing it during the installation.
There should be as few steps as possible between booting the computer and logging in for the first time. .Mac is not a necessary step.