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Re:purchasing lap top ?advice - 2007/01/24 18:28
Are you planning on playing any games on your laptop? Burning any DVD's?
For anti virus and spyware you don't need to spend much. For ant-spyware I use Spyware Blaster and Spybot S&D (Search and Destroy). They are both free, just download and update. Spyware Blaster runs in the background acting as a sort of spyware firewall (Uses virtually no resources too!) and Spybot scans for spyware, pups, adware etc. and gets rid of them  Run Spybot once a month and you should be spyware free. (Also check for updates on a monthly basis). Now for Anti-Virus; on another forum of which I am an active member of, we have had many discussions of which are the best anti-virus programs (which uses the least resources and which scans the best/most in depth scanning). The two that came out overall in all categories were Kaperspy (I think thats the correct spelling) and NOD32 (I'm using this one). They don't cost too much and work great!
Office software is very expensive, I would look in things like 'student and teacher edition' or the one that costs the least. Do you have an old version of Office? If you do you can save some money with an upgrade. Boomers might also have some used versions.
Another tip for protecting your computer, use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, why? Because it's easier to use, has more features, looks better and is much safer. Once you get your laptop post back here or email me (sprigglespriggle@gmail.com) and I will give you some tips for protecting yourself, by getting a few programs and how to set them up.
The laptop should come with built in wireless, but by wireless gizmo you probably mean a Wireless Router. Look for a Linksys router and stay away from the inexpensive ones, they are bad news. Dlink routers are also good, just go for the more expensive models.
Now for your laptop. If you aren't planning on playing any games you will be fine with an integrated graphics card, if you can spend 1500 on your laptop, you will be in good shape. If its possible look into the Asus line of laptops, they are amazing, well refined looks as well as powerful. For your needs you will want to get something that is Core Duo or Core 2 Duo at 1.86Ghz + with 1Gb of Ram + (+ means 'or higher'). The intel GMA950 should be fine if you aren't gaming, a 100Gb + harddrive and stay below 15.4IN screens!! anything larger then 14.1IN is too heavy and bulky to carry around with you., but a 12IN screen is too small, so your best bet is 14.1IN Wide. If you are going Toshiba, get the Tecra line, their satellite line has become sub par in the past little while, Sony's are overpriced, but are still nice laptops (And are LOADED with Bloatware), Apples are nice, but if you have been a windows user all your life, you will have to relearn computers, because it has a different OS, they are nice well refined laptops tho, Hp's are generally business oriented, stay away from the inexpensive line from these guys (Compaq?). Boomers sotcks Acer laptops at this point, overall they are good laptops, just go for the Travel Mate series and you should be happy, on most of their laptops they have managed to strike a balance between Price, Durability and features.
If you have any more questions, ask in the forum or email me! 
If you have a particular notebook in mind go here: http://www.notebookreview.com/reviews/ They are an American site, so just ignore the prices listed, but they have an amazing Notebook review database! Don't worry Boomers, they aren't a reseller, they just have a good forum and review database
Hope this helps!
Bryan |
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