What do I need?

[Vaz]

Okay, Just wondering if I could have some help compiling a list of must have "things" for a laptop/computer?

I leave the UK to go back on tour for about 9 months at the end of next week, and I've promised the one I'm currently using as a birthday present to my cousin.

So, basically, while I'm here, I'm downloading a set of files and burning them to discs so I can install them when I'm over there, and can get started.

It's an M17x, with the bells and whistles. Expensive dick waving, yes, but I didn't realise that at the time when I bought it.

If there's any information that you need, let me know, and I'll add it in. It doesn't necesserally need to be free, either, by the way. And Yes, I have seen the Best Free Software, and read through it.

Spoiler for Info: 

The stats are, as I bought it (and I have no idea what these terms mean)

• Intel Core i7 920XM (2.00Ghz, 8Mb L3 cache)
• Dual 1GB ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card
• 8192MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x4096]
• 256GB Solid State SATA Drive
• 17" UXGA 1920x1200 Beyond HD (1200p) RGBLED
• Internal Blu-ray RW Optical Drive with Software
• Intel Wireless LAN 6300 3x3 802.11a/b/g/n card

OS

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

I also get Office 2010 Professional Plus, although I'm not sure whether the amount of stuff that gives me is gonig to be used that much

But yeah, like I said, I don't know much about them, other than I have more money than sense. So, what sort of programs do I need to start looking at?

For Antivirus', which are the best? I've heard good things about Avira 9, but also Norton 2010 seems to be more well liked than in the past. I had it a few years ago, and it slowed the computer down massively. What antivirus would you choose?

For media players, I have licenses for both Mediamonkey Gold and PowerDVD 10 3D Ultra.

For Browsers, what better, firefox, chrome, or something else?

What do you suggest?

Thanks for your time.

[english tyrant]

I'm not quite sure what your actual question is... but I use
Avast antivirus
Office 2010
Chrome (for it's minimalist feel and speed, you might want firefox if you are looking for customisation.)
PowerDVD 9 ultra, didn't even know about 10.
I also use Tune-up utilities for its registry cleaner and defragger, although there are free options that are just as good.

[Vaz]

Sorry, meant to say, I'm pretty much starting from scratch. This will be the first computer I've ever had got first hand, all the others were either hand me downs, or bought from someone else, so I don't know where to start with what's needed.

In it's state, the computer works, I know that. But what are some of the must have programs? I'm not too technically minded, see.

Thanks for your help +rep.

[Bartzy]

Sorry, meant to say, I'm pretty much starting from scratch. This will be the first computer I've ever had got first hand, all the others were either hand me downs, or bought from someone else, so I don't know where to start with what's needed.

In it's state, the computer works, I know that. But what are some of the must have programs? I'm not too technically minded, see.

Thanks for your help +rep.

Anti-Virus : AVG Free Edition - yay its free, doesn't take up too much processes. Updates are done regularly, been using it for years, never a problem

Comodo Firewall (free) or Zone Alarm (free)- I use Comodo now because Zone Alarm keeps corrupting itself on me every 3 months for some reason.

Chrome and Firefox are both good. Opera is good.

Power DVD is pretty awesome, But you can get VLC Player for free, plays almost any media file. Quick Install

OpenOffice is google alternative to Office, and so is GoogleDocs.

All above programs are good for basic document, media, and internet etc.

I don't believe there is a need to spend big bucks on software when there are alternatives that are just as good.

[Big Boss]

If you don't mind spending the money you can get better products.

Nod32 for Anti-virus. Its one of the best anti-virus/computer safety programs out there. If you aren't looking to spend money, or as much, check out Avast AntiVirus (free) or Avast Internet Security ($19.99 I think)

Multimedia, you have a blu-ray reader so PowerDvd 10 is good, you can watch blu-rays on ther. For music, depends on what, if any MP3 player you use. I'm a fan of the Zune software, but itunes is widely used (I don't like it, people use it cause they have ipods) and the new windows media player is quite good.

Office 10 Professional is ace, you'll be fine with that.

In terms of browsers, I prefer Firefox and Chrome. Opera 10 is also very good, and IE8 is supposed to be good too, wouldn't use it though.


Apart from the basic stuff, you can just get utilities like 7zip, or Winrar if you need more compatibility. Use CCleaner and Defraggler, easy to use utilities to help care for your PC (just be sure you know how to use them - they are simple, but are powerful and CCleaner can mess with stuff if you check the wrong thing.)