Laptop users are most likely familiar with how their laptop PCs are sold with lots of mostly unneeded software pre-installed. Luckily, Sony started to offer a Fresh Start option for those who didn't want any software extras installed in their new Vaio laptops. Basically, choosing Fresh Start option will make Sony ship your laptop free of extra applications, trial software, and games.

However, there was a bit of a snag when the Fresh Start option initially became available. Apparently, Sony charged US$ 50 from those who opted to get their Vaio laptops free of extra programs and trial software.

While this makes no sense at first glance - after all, why pay to have software removed, when they can just not install it in the first place - considering the possibility that Sony gets paid by software companies to install their trial software as a likely advertising move, the fee for the Fresh Start option is just an attempt to possibly recoup losses.

There's an unexpected surprise, however. As it turns out, Engadget contacted Sony about the Fresh Start charge, and the Sony spokesperson they managed to reach said that Sony Japan was surprised about the US$ 50 fee, and asked to have it removed immediately.

Will this mean that there will be refunds to those who have shelled out bucks for the Fresh Start option? Only time will tell, when the fee removal takes effect. Expect more updates for this news.