The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

crippleware
 n.

    1. [common] Software that has some important functionality deliberately
    removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a working version.

    2. [Cambridge] Variety of guiltware that exhorts you to donate to some
    charity (compare careware, nagware).

    3. Hardware deliberately crippled, which can be upgraded to a more
    expensive model by a trivial change (e.g., cutting a jumper).

    An excellent example of crippleware (sense 3) is Intel's 486SX chip, which
    is a standard 486DX chip with the co-processor diked out (in some early
    versions it was present but disabled). To upgrade, you buy a complete 486DX
    chip with working co-processor (its identity thinly veiled by a different
    pinout) and plug it into the board's expansion socket. It then disables the
    SX, which becomes a fancy power sink. Don't you love Intel?


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

crippleware

   1. Software that has some important functionality deliberately
   removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a working
   version.

   2. (Cambridge) Guiltware that exhorts you to donate to some
   charity.

   Compare careware, nagware.

   3. Hardware deliberately crippled, which can be upgraded to a
   more expensive model by a trivial change (e.g. removing a
   jumper).  A correspondant gave the following example:

   In 1982-5, a friend had a Sharp scientific calculator
   which was on the list of those permitted in exams.  No
   programmable calculators were allowed.

   A very similar, more expensive, programmable model had two
   extra keys for programming where the cheaper version just had
   blank metal.

   My friend took his calculator apart (as you would) and lo and
   behold, the rubber switches of the program keys were there on
   the circuit board.  So all he had to do was cut a hole in the
   face.  For exams he would pre-load the calculator with any
   useful routines, put a sticker with his name on it over the
   hole, and press the buttons through the sticker with a pen.

   [Jargon File]

   (2001-05-12)