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Part Two of the ongoing Best Buy Optimization<\/a> scandal. Yesterday I highlighted the Geek Squad’s PC optimization, which was silly to say the least. Today we look at their Mac optimization: it consists of creating a username. Cough.<\/p>\n There’s no way around this, so let’s just blockquote this The Big Money<\/a> post from several months ago, before this optimization business was on our radar:<\/p>\n \nAs even a computer novice might expect, “Mac optimization” is useless. One supposed benefit is putting the user’s name on the computer, according to Best Buy representatives I spoke to. Presumably, anyone who is buying a computer knows how to type in his or her own name, or follow the prompts to do it. Another supposed benefit: checking the Mac’s network connection. This has no value because it is done in the store, while the buyer will use the Mac with a different network at home. Yet a third step involves loading the Geek Squad’s own proprietary software on the computer to scan drives\u2014drives that have never been used and so don’t need to be scanned for trouble. An anti-virus program is also part of the mix, which is an insult to the virus resistance of Macs. “There’s nothing of that sort that any brand-new PC needs, and Macs less so,” Gottheil [a Technology Business Research analyst] said. “Apple requires far less configuration.” Best Buy’s hard sell on “optimization” is like peddling mythic unicorns based on the value of their horsepower.\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n So, $40 to create a user account and scan a brand new hard drive? I cannot think of a bigger waste of money. <\/p>\n Again, I think the actual Geek Squad guys aren’t to blame, they’re just doing what they’re told. It’s the guys above them looking to squeeze out a few more pennies. <\/p>\n\n