<p>Alright, I know this is asked ALL THE TIME, but hey. I'd search but I can't find a search feature.</p>
<p>What do I NEED on my computer? Does the network have it's own protection, or should I get my own? Norton or McAffee? Will I need 4 GB or should I save my $50 and get 3?</p>
<p>Any other tips for computer buying?</p>
<p>UF offers free McAfee AntiVirus Software</a> Licensing Services | Academic Technology and recommends it or the Avast which is free for anyone at avast</a>! antivirus - high security and protection from malware with anti-spyware and anti-rootkit software built in</p>
<p>I personally use Kaspersky, but it isn't free.</p>
<p>If you are buying a new computer, I would recommend doing comparison shopping and looking online at major retailers as well as places like Newegg.com</a> - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! </p>
<p>I just bought a hp dv6810us from Circuit City for $629 less tax after rebate.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you buy from a place like newegg.com there is no sales tax unless you live in certain states.</p>
<p>For your memory, 3 GB is fine, in the unlikely event that you need more memory, you can buy more later. 4 GB is the maximum amount of memory that any 32-bit version of Windows will support, if you want more you will have to go to a 64-bit version.</p>
<p>I was going to go with Dell. I personally HATE laptops, but a desktop would be highly impractical. I'm going to just go with the 3 GB/250 GB configuration.</p>
<p>Would I need a seperate anti-virus program for using my computer at home? I have Verizon FiOS internet and I think they may have said something about built-in programs but I can't remember anymore. I guess I could just use Avast!.</p>
<p>I'll check out newegg.com, but I think I'm pretty set on just customizing a Dell.</p>
<p>Yeah I've had bad experiences with Dell, because of proprietary parts and other things I've had to deal with. It's your choice, but there are always deals going on somewhere...</p>
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I personally use Kaspersky, but it isn't free.
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<p>How do you like it? I tried the full (free trail version) for a month and it seems like it did a good job. But then I hear things like it slows down you computer like Norton and McAfee. I just like to see others opinions before spending $80 on it.</p>
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But then I hear things like it slows down you computer like Norton and McAfee.
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<p>That's pretty much what antivirus programs do. I basically just built an awesome enough computer that it runs fine even with it turned on. Kaspersky is what I use, by the way.</p>
<p>Also, unless you are a huge klutz with computers and need a warranty (i.e. most parents), there is no reason to not build your own these days. Building one is pretty much exactly like building something out of legos.</p>
<p>rainydysndmondys,</p>
<p>If you're looking into buying a computer with a budget, I would go with Dell ( They're cheap and do what a computer is supposed to do). However, if you want to customize a computer with the exact configuration that you want, then I would consider building one ( not to save money, but to have what you want)... but that's if you want to take the time to build one.</p>
<p>Memory need really depends on what you're going to be doing with the computer. But take in mind that if you're running a 32-bit version of windows or Linux you should get 3GB of memory since the system is not going to support more than 3.2 GB of memory... if you want more than that, you'll need to switch to 64-bit Vista.</p>
<p>As far as the antivirus goes, you have couple of good choices : BitDefender, Kaspersky, and ESET Nod32... you can't go wrong with any of those 3 choices... personally, I use BitDefender ( it runs pretty smooth).</p>
<p>If you're going to be use the laptop for normal college stuff then you should consider adding more space ( hardrive), more battery ( the longer the better), don't worry about the video card (unless you play games)... with these configurations you should get something nice and cheap.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Yeah, I thought about the 4 GB and I've realized that I probably would never use all that and the computer's capacity for that much would probably be less than desirable anyway [it'd be 32-bit Vista, I'm almost positive].</p>
<p>I'm sure if I built a computer the results would be disasterous. Our Dell desktop is running fine, and I plan on refraining from stupid things [Limewire, etc.] once I get my laptop. I have no need for hxc gaming of any kind. I know Dell is kind of looked down on in a lot of more advanced computing circles, but I'm not going to be getting into programming or web design or anything like that.</p>
<p>I had to have a laptop in middle school and went with Compaq, which was a huge mistake. We had the fancy warrenties and all of that, and in the end they rarely helped things went wrong. Middle schoolers really shouldn't be trusted with laptops to begin with, much less ones they lug around to every class all day long...</p>
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I'm sure if I built a computer the results would be disasterous. Our Dell desktop is running fine, and I plan on refraining from stupid things [Limewire, etc.] once I get my laptop.
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<p>If you can read lego instructions you can build a computer, trust me. The good thing about building your own is you don't get any bloatware from Dell (they sell your a** out with promo deals that are hard to remove from your computer) yet charge the same price if not more than a computer without it. This is in addition to usually unreplaceable parts and a warranty you'll probably never use unless they designed the system to break or you're over 50.</p>
<p>I'm sure you have some friend that has built his own computer and could recommend good parts - not like it matters really since 99% of what you buy will be compatible with whatever else you buy. Most motherboard companies will supply very detailed instructions with their motherboards (to which your computer parts will be affixed) and therefore will make it very easy to put together without prior knowledge.</p>
<p>Hmm. My ex-boyfriends might be of some assistance in that area, but enlisting their assistance might not be ideal. It would be pretty cool to build my own. My parents probably wouldn't go for it. =/</p>