Hey Jon, great choice on considering a Vaio. Pre-installed software can be convenient, but you've got valid concerns. Here's my take:
a) In case your hard drive decides to go on vacation, fear not. Manufacturers usually provide a recovery partition or a system image that lets you restore your system to its factory settings. Make sure to check if your Vaio comes with such features.
b) If you need to reinstall the OS or rebuild your machine, having a backup of your important data is crucial. For software like MS Office and Photoshop Elements, you can usually redownload them from the official websites using your product keys.
c) Corrupted Office install? Happens to the best of us. Microsoft's official website often provides tools to troubleshoot and repair Office installations. Follow their guides, and you should be back on track.
d) When upgrading to a new laptop, the software licenses might be transferable. Check the terms and conditions or contact the software providers for guidance.
Personal tip: Keep a record of your product keys and any associated accounts – it'll save you headaches down the road. Happy computing!
