IDNetters Forums

Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: Tina on Sep 01, 2010, 11:08:47

Title: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 01, 2010, 11:08:47
I am still on the Mac vs Windows thing. I thought I'd decided on another Mac, but don't think I can justify the cost. So have some questions if OK about windows.

1) in another thread someone said there is good free anti-virus protection out there for windows now - which is it?

2) I used to get really annoyed at the pop up's on windows, but a friend said if you use FF and not IE you don't get them. Is that right?


3) could i get a good laptop for about £400-450? If so what would you recommend?


I love Macs, but for what I use my lap top for I can't justify it really. But i've heard windows is slow, full of virus's and pop up's... thanks  guys and sorry some of this is old ground just wanna get it all straight in my blond head lol



Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Rik on Sep 01, 2010, 11:11:28
I'll leave this to people with experience of both 'camps', Tina.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 01, 2010, 11:13:57
I never thought I'd use window's but  my finances don't allow  nice shiny Macs anymore :D
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: pctech on Sep 01, 2010, 11:19:49
Hi Tina

If you are buying a new system chances are it will have Windows 7 which is very good indeed.

Avast! or Microsoft Security Essentials will do the job for you along with Immunet.

As regards pop ups, provided you are careful with your browsing you don't tend to get them but your friend is correct FF is better in terms of the add-ons you can get to combat them and from a security point too as any bugs tend to be squashed a lot quicker than IE which is important particularly if you are using your PC for things such as banking.



Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: DorsetBoy on Sep 01, 2010, 11:24:54
Quote from: Tina on Sep 01, 2010, 11:08:47
I am still on the Mac vs Windows thing. I thought I'd decided on another Mac, but don't think I can justify the cost. So have some questions if OK about windows.

1) in another thread someone said there is good free anti-virus protection out there for windows now - which is it?

2) I used to get really annoyed at the pop up's on windows, but a friend said if you use FF and not IE you don't get them. Is that right?


3) could i get a good laptop for about £400-450? If so what would you recommend?


I love Macs, but for what I use my lap top for I can't justify it really. But i've heard windows is slow, full of virus's and pop up's... thanks  guys and sorry some of this is old ground just wanna get it all straight in my blond head lol



Hi Tina,

Avast 5 is an excellent and comprehensive free AV system with a lot of custom settings if you want them. Microsoft produce MSE "Microsoft Security Essentials which is an AV system combined with a new version of Defender,toally free, install ,set scans etc and forget it's there. It stays quiet until it sees a problem, MSE is highly rated in the virus tests, I just prefer the interaction with Avast5.

Privacyware make a new free firewall called PrivateFirewall which seems to be very good.

Pop ups are no different in IE or Firefox , the Windows User accout control has less popups and more user control in Win7, it flags up changes which could be an issue.

There are plenty of good laptop deals for well under £500 to be had and many come with all sorts of freebies. My neighbour has a new Acer with a very high spec, free security suite and case, spare battery etc, for @ £379.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: pctech on Sep 01, 2010, 11:27:38
Ah yes I forgot about UAC which is much improved too in 7 though it still can be a bit disruptive with older software.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: DorsetBoy on Sep 01, 2010, 11:34:49
This http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5732Z_Laptop_LX.PMZ02.021/version.asp is like my neighbours lappy, I will ask him where he got it as it was a really good deal at the time.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 01, 2010, 11:43:05
just remembered I have a little XP advent note book - so playing with that :) the screen is so blue it hurts my eyes, and so little lol
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 01, 2010, 12:37:11
How about Samsung (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003EJPK36/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003EJT7EY&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1F1WDJWNTCHTK5HRSPB0) or Acer (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Notebook-processor-Windows-Premium/dp/B003L0OYNK/ref=pd_cp_computers_1)
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Niall on Sep 01, 2010, 20:39:43
Quote from: DorsetBoy on Sep 01, 2010, 11:24:54
Hi Tina,

Avast 5 is an excellent and comprehensive free AV system with a lot of custom settings if you want them. Microsoft produce MSE "Microsoft Security Essentials which is an AV system combined with a new version of Defender,toally free, install ,set scans etc and forget it's there. It stays quiet until it sees a problem, MSE is highly rated in the virus tests, I just prefer the interaction with Avast5.

Privacyware make a new free firewall called PrivateFirewall which seems to be very good.

Pop ups are no different in IE or Firefox , the Windows User accout control has less popups and more user control in Win7, it flags up changes which could be an issue.

There are plenty of good laptop deals for well under £500 to be had and many come with all sorts of freebies. My neighbour has a new Acer with a very high spec, free security suite and case, spare battery etc, for @ £379.

Yes indeedy, the Acer laptops are great. My sister recently got one and it's very impressive. I think it was an aspire, or similar to the spec of one, but better than anything I can find online strangely. It was on offer somewhere, and they got it for £400 when most places had them for £600. Shame they're not online now or I'd ask them.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 01, 2010, 21:09:04
Comet do regular deals on laptops
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Niall on Sep 01, 2010, 21:22:34
I've just asked my sisters other half and he's confirmed it was an Aspire. He thinks it was a higher model reduced in a sale from £600+ to £400, so quite the bargain!

Found it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-15-6inch-Noteboook-Windows-Premium/dp/B003S3R7R0/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283373113&sr=1-3
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 02, 2010, 14:47:40
Ok I've playing with my advent notebook which had XP on it. am getti]ng used to windows - put the protection on it someone recommended here :) My mate has the comp and loves it

HERE[/url

What do you guys think? She said i5 is faster than i3 .. getting my head round this slowly... can we please have a Mac-windows conversion thread please :lol:

(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pavilion-dv6-2105ea-15-6-inch-Notebook-Processor/dp/B0033PRQHE/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1283411407&sr=1-1)
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 14:50:10
The i3 is slower than the i5, which in turn is slower than the i7, as you go up the cpu ladder the price increases too.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 14:51:50
What do you want to do on the laptop, Tina?
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 14:54:46
http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/category/1954/Laptops/n/1001954+4294960157

You can get 6% off the price by using the following discount code 6OFF
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 02, 2010, 14:55:48
and that is my deliema - I don't mind paying up to £600 if it's a good machine - but for £750 I can get a Macbook, but the specs aren't as good .. I just wanna  do general surfing, a bit of web design.. but i do want a good machine don't wanna regret coming over to windows.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: pctech on Sep 02, 2010, 14:57:07
Get a PC, its more versatile than a Mac.

Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 02, 2010, 14:57:45
I'm looking at windows, but never hsving used them i don't have a clue lol
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: pctech on Sep 02, 2010, 14:59:32
If you've got any questions ask away or if you prefer you can PM me and I'll be happy to help.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Tina on Sep 02, 2010, 15:02:19
Ok i know i want it to be intel. I also know I want about 3-4GB I don't mind paying up to £600 for a good machine.. gotta take doglet out, be back later :)
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 15:07:47
If you want a 64bit OS then, this may fit the bill http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5745_LX.PTW02.017/version.asp
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Steve on Sep 02, 2010, 15:51:58
Quote from: pctech on Sep 02, 2010, 14:57:07
Get a PC, its more versatile than a Mac.




A Mac can run Windows and Mac OS X so which is the most versatile? :shake:
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Rik on Sep 02, 2010, 15:54:36
Depends on who's at the keyboard...
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 16:00:32
My Dell netbook can run OS X  ;D
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: pctech on Sep 02, 2010, 16:01:30
Running Windows on a Mac makes shelling out for that over expensive hardware a bit pointless.

Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 16:03:14
It is a match though, overpriced hardware to run overpriced MS software.
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Rik on Sep 02, 2010, 16:03:29
Minor point. ;)
Title: Re: Going backwards and forwards
Post by: Glenn on Sep 02, 2010, 16:06:16
Tina, another point you need to think about is, do need any additional software for what you want to do with the laptop, as it may add to the cost.