Is it worth Me buying this?

[pitfall]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptop...69537-pdt.html

I've got £300.00 to up-grade from My XP and seen this one. But the more I read about windows 8 the more I get worried lol

can You tell Me is there enough ram and hard drive. Is it fast enough. would it play youtube vids.

would and could You help strip any stuff off it that I don't need

Or is it best to wait for another one to come along :(

Thanks for any help Guys :)

[Vr5fx]

Windows 8 has been out for a while now, so all major problems should be solved. You can also change the UI to look like Windows 7.

 

That laptop will and should play YouTube videos with any problems, will be fine for internet browsing, work documents and "basic" games.

[Starbuck]

McAfee Internet Security 30 day trial

I would also recommend that this is removed as soon as possible.

You could either use Windows Defender (which is a built-in program for Windows 8) or something else, like BitDefender free.

 

Unfortunately Microsoft tossed its partners a bone by allowing OEMs to deactivate Windows Defender in order to ship boxed PCs with alternative security solutions installed.

Windows 8 doesn't automatically reactivate Windows Defender by default.

If you want to reactivate it after removing McAfee, this link will explain how to do this.

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020260/how-to-activate-windows-defender-in-windows-8.html

[pitfall]

Thank You Vr5fx :)

[pitfall]

Cheers Starbuck, I was going to ask about Mcafee, I got told to take it off the one I have now. I might as well jump in and get it then. lol I can see Me reading the post in here a lot now lol Night for now all.

[pitfall]

Change of plan Guys :-( I've ordered this one instead. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1471786.htm. I hope it's going to do the trick lol I'll be back in tomorrow with news or for help.

[KenB]

I have had two Acer Laptops - my new one and my old one - Vista - which is still giving me no problems at all.

 

You should be OK with that one :)

[Woodworker]

Change of plan Guys :-( I've ordered this one instead. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1471786.htm. I hope it's going to do the trick lol I'll be back in tomorrow with news or for help.

 

Hello pitfall,

 

I'm by no means a techy and, having sought guidance here, I also plumped for an Acer and am very pleased I did. It seems to me that Acer offer very good value for money and are well made. I bought this one:

 

httpe://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-e1-570-15-6-laptop-21743676-pdt.html

 

but I'm confident the model you've chosen will fulfil your needs.

 

Personally, I hate Windows 8 and have downloaded a program called Classic Shell which is a life-saver and makes W 8 look like W 7.

 

I've used a free version of Avast antivirus for years and, as it's taken care of my computers, I installed it and uninstalled McAfee. Similarly, I installed Superantispyware - another free version. Additionally, I downloaded Revo Uninstaller which gets rid of remnants left by malware etc.

 

As I've said, I was in a similar position to you and now have no regrets.

 

All the best, David

Edited February 13, 2014 by Woodworker

[pitfall]

Thanks KenB. My Son popped in from college and set it up as best He could ( his first go on windows 8.1) I was going to stay hard wire and use Ethernet, but it's done now lol. I know for one thing, \I'm going to need a mouse. The finger pad isn't much good for Me.

Ok, now for the questions lol. can I use windows 8.1 " firefox, spywareblaster, web of trust, sas, and malwarebytes". also, there are 36 important windows updates ( it didn't say critical ) should I load then in. Thanks for any help ;-)

[pitfall]

Great stuff Dave ;-) I hope it last You a long time. I don't think I'm up to doing any major leap like You have. I'm going to give this windows 8.1 a run for it's money lol. I'm finding the small shift button on the left a hard one to master at the moment lol.

[KenB]

Hi pitfall

 

Install the updates.

 

" firefox, spywareblaster, web of trust, sas, and malwarebytes

No problem with these - not sure about SAS .... not familiar with this.

 

I use a wireless mouse - small one fits in a pocket.

[pitfall]

What a job KenB :-( only just finished the updates :-( Going to float to bed now, and do the rest of the things tomorrow.Thanks for the help

[Woodworker]

Glad to learn you've gone for an Acer - When you've had a good play with it, let me know whether you like it.

 

I can't get on with touchpads and, like Ken, I use a wireless mouse and like these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-910-002777-M175-Wireless-Mouse/dp/B00745IE3O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392386293&sr=8-1&keywords=logitech+wireless+mouse Nice to use and a battery lasts for ages. If you use a mouse, it's a good idea to disable the touchpad - Fn+F7 - in order to avoid catching it with your hand.

 

Just two very minor niggles you may have noticed with the Acer is there's no light to indicate when the capslock is on and numberlock is enabled after a reboot - something to remember when entering a password.

 

Happy computing, David :)

[pitfall]

Quick update on the mouse lol My Son went in to town on a mission to find Me a mouse. I've now got a Microtek 800dpi Precision optical plug in Mouse It works very well and charms doesn't get dragged out as much, and everything is quicker to to use. Now for the good part ( or bad lol ) My Son bought it from £ land................yes for a £1 before You ask lol. so I hope it will stay ok ;-)

[KenB]

My Son bought it from £ land................yes for a £1 before You ask

Sounds like a bargain :)

[Starbuck]

not sure about SAS .... not familiar with this.

Yes, SuperAntiSpyware will run on your OS.

But to be honest you don't need MBAM and SAS..... just one will do (there is no advantage in having both)

[pitfall]

It works a ttreat KenB. And yes, what a bargain. If anything goes wrong with it, least I know windows 8.1 works great with a usb mouse. cheers guys ;)

[pitfall]

Right Starbuck. I got around to taking Mcafee off My lappy last night. I deleted from Progs, then use this to tidy up after. http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

I run ccleaner, atf cleaner, then rebooted. I followed this http://www.pcworld.com/article/20202...windows-8.html and had no trouble starting windows defender, thank You, Now the question is, do I need anything else to run with windows defender. I've got spywareblaster and malwarebytes on My laptop. but not sure if I need another antivirus installed ?

[Starbuck]

Hi pitfall,

 

I've got spywareblaster and malwarebytes on My laptop. but not sure if I need another antivirus installed ?

No, you don't need another AV program.

Windows Defender is slightly different than in the earlier operating systems.

Windows Defender in Win8 is basically MSSE (they just gave it a different name)

With Windows Defender running along side Spyware Blaster and MBAM .... you should be adequately covered.

[pitfall]

Cheers starbuck, that's a load off :) I'm enjoying the 8.1 at the moment, I love the way you just type anywhere on the desk top to bring things up. But finding picture and other things have been a challenge. there's about 3 different places you can find them lol but on this model the touch pad is a no no :(. Thanks for the back up everyone. Oh while I'm here lol sorry. another question?

where do you find roll back to an earlier start date and how do you make new start points....thank you

[Starbuck]

where do you find roll back to an earlier start date and how do you make new start points.

This tutorial will explain all you need to know about the system restore in win8.

Windows 8 System Restore Guide

[pitfall]

Cheers Starbuck ;-)

[pitfall]

Quick update. after using windows defender while I got use to 8.1 and I'm finding it ok. I found, in My emails, kasperskys mail. so I reinstalled it on this machine, defender, plus spywareblaster and malwarebytes must have done the trick. because Kaspersky didn't find anything. I hope it works as well as defender did. I'll let You know :)

[pitfall]

Hello pitfall,

 

I'm by no means a techy and, having sought guidance here, I also plumped for an Acer and am very pleased I did. It seems to me that Acer offer very good value for money and are well made. I bought this one:

 

httpe://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-e1-570-15-6-laptop-21743676-pdt.html

 

but I'm confident the model you've chosen will fulfil your needs.

 

Personally, I hate Windows 8 and have downloaded a program called Classic Shell which is a life-saver and makes W 8 look like W 7.

 

I've used a free version of Avast antivirus for years and, as it's taken care of my computers, I installed it and uninstalled McAfee. Similarly, I installed Superantispyware - another free version. Additionally, I downloaded Revo Uninstaller which gets rid of remnants left by malware etc.

 

As I've said, I was in a similar position to you and now have no regrets.

 

All the best, David

Hello Dave, I have noticed, since the sun has been shining the last few days, that the gloss screen on this lappy is rubbish. Only to be used inside, and with minimum light reflections. It's like having a bad screen on a phone in the street :-( apart fron that, I'm doing ok so far.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi guys, if needing to use a laptop or other device in bright sunlight and using a glossy screen, you can get anti glare sheeting. Various types here on E Bay.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/anti-glare-screen-protector-15-6

 

Probably be able to get it from most computer retailers as well.

 

Nev.