Looking for a new laptop

[e_briggs]

I am looking for a new laptop as the post title suggests. I have been looking at the dell inspiron 1545. It is costing £488.99 atm with 3 years anti-virus. Is this a good choice?

Is there a better choice?

Any suggestions would be greatly received!

[BeeCeeBee]

I know that you are going to get suggestions here. Mine is to place little value on the anti virus that they offer. It is usually Norton or McAfee and, frankly, not all that great. We have some really good free programs that we recommend and have absolutely no financial interest in.

 

What are the actual specs on the Dell and how will you be using it. That makes a great deal of difference.

[e_briggs]

BaseIntel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 Cache)Microsoft Operating SystemGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - EnglishMemory3072MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x1024]KeyboardInternal UK English Qwerty KeyboardVideo CardIntel Integrated GMA 4500MHDHard Drive320GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard DriveOptical DevicesDVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)Wireless NetworkingIntel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCardCables1 Meter Power Cord - UKShipping DocumentsEnglish - Documentation Inspiron 1545Gedis Bundle ReferenceN0354504Standard Warranty1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & ReturnEnhanced Service Packs1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & ReturnBluetoothNo Bluetooth UpgradeOrder InformationInspiron 1545 Order - UKPrimary Battery6-cell batteryCarrying CasesNo Carry CaseDell System Media KitInspiron 1545 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)Camera1.3 Mega pixel Integrated Web CameraColour ChoiceBlack Colour with Matte FinishAccidental Damage SupportNo Accidental Damage SupportOnline BackupDataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 yearLabelsWireless Label (Intel Wireless Cards) - Core 2 DuoLCD15.6" Widescreen WXGA CCFL (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™Microsoft Application SoftwareMicrosoft® Works 9.0 with Home and Student Trial - EnglishProtect your new PCMcAfee® Security Centre - 36 Month Protection - EnglishPower Supply65W AC AdaptorBiometric IdentificationBlack palmrest

[e_briggs]

Oh and I will be using it for storing music, pictures, files etc. surfing the web, and also playing games such as the sims.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Looks a fair lappy to me Briggsy mate. :)

 

There is some bundled crap on it, just don't use it.

[e_briggs]

bundled crap?

[BeeCeeBee]

Just some of the software extras nothing to worry about. If you buy it we can help you sort the good from the bad.

[paulsif]

I agree with BeeCeeBee about the anti virus programs sometimes supplied with pc's and laptops (Norton etc). They pop up all the time and slow your system down so much. I use AVG its free and so far been very reliable, also it has good recommendations and reviews. As for a laptop I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 it is fairly basic but i upgraded it slightly from the standard specs. It have been very reliable and I wouldn't buy any other make. I know many other people who also have Dells and they say the same. I would advise upgrading the battery though, I didnt do this and my mate did his goes on far longer than mine!

[BeeCeeBee]

Good suggestions and observations, Paul. I would dispute only your recommendation of AVG. I think you will find bit Avira and Avast to be far superior with far less getting through.

 

What were your upgrades. Also just for briggsy's information, if you are considering anything close to serious gaming you would need a non integrated graphics card and that can be costly on a laptop. I don't think that the Syms would be considered serious gaming though.

[e_briggs]

The anti-virus is McAfee. Do you not recommend that? That is an additional cost of £40 that I could take off if it is not recommended and a free one is better. I know I can get pc guard from virgin (my supplier) anyway but not sure how good it is. When you say upgrade the battery is there only one choice of upgrade?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I use Eset NOD 32 Security Suite, paid for Briggsy.

 

More here.

 

Firewall, Antivirus, Antispam: ESET Smart Security Has It All

[BeeCeeBee]

Also have a look here for all our recommendations.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

[Tootech]

Personally I'd skip McAfee - don't want to be unfavourable about it but there are far better products out there.

 

Eset Smart Security - used by myself and Wolfeymole Antivirus and Antispyware Software - ESET Smart Security

 

Kaspersky Internet Security - superb software and cheap at PC World at the moment....

 

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 (1 User Edition)

 

Bitdefender Internet Security...

 

Antivirus software - BitDefender - The future of security now!

 

Out of the 3 Eset Smart Security is perhaps the easiest to use, it doesn't ask you many questions and just gets on with it. Kaspersky is probably the strongest for protection, but does ask more questions when you set it up. Bitdefender is somewhere in between.