HP, after dumping their own online backup service, Upline, has partnered with Symantec to protect the data on new PCs.

However, don’t get all excited yet: the version of Symantec Online Backup is merely a 1-month trial, after which users will be asked to pay $50 / year. That’s nothing special: you can get a 30-day trial free directly from Symantec.

The pre-installation of Symantec Online Backup extends the current HP / Symantec agreement, in which HP computers feature Symantec’s Norton Internet Security.

While some consumers welcome pre-installed software, adding credibility to the product selection and ease of use (installation is already taken care of), others find it to be a waste of space, system resources, and a major annoyance as it regularly prompts users to purchase a license.