For the IT experts, what should I buy with a new laptop??

1. processor 2. RAM 3. graphic card - very important if you like to watch HD 4. build in webcam sotfware: 5. best award winning anti virus - Eset Smart Security - http://www.eset.com/ 6. normally new laptops come with preinstalled operative system (e.g. windows) - no need to buy anything 7. free office pack, which imho is much better than Microsoft's one, can be downloaded from http://www.openoffice.org/

If you are talking about software applications, the good news is that once you're connected to the internet you can buy or download anything much online. What you require really depends on what you will use your laptop for. Some things I could not a computer without: - Microsoft office / Open Office (free) / or its equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, etc.) - Anti-virus - you can download this online and buy a subscription - norton, microtrend, mcAfee, will all work. - Mozilla firefox - this can be downloaded for free. You can choose this or any internet browser of your choice. Windows comes with Internet explorer. Mac comes with Safari. Google has Chrome. I prefer firefox. - Picasa - I like this for storing photos, editing them and uploading them to my google account. Its free. - Skype - unfortunately, this you cannot download in Dubai. Get the setup file from a friend and install on your machine. - Communicators / Chat Software - Google Talk, msn Live Messenger, etc. can all be downloaded for free. - CD/DVD Burning software - Windows have already a built-in mechanism for burning data in CDs and DVDs. Of course there is software that is designed to for this kind of job. One popular program is Nero Burning ROM. It is not a free program you can download it here: http://www.nero.com/eng/nero-burning-rom-applications-included.html - Media Players: Windows Media Player comes with the OS. But I dont like it. Try downloading KM Player, its free and has many functions and options. - Acrobat Reader / Writer - You will have to purchase this. I use this for work, but not everyone needs this. One piece of hardware I would invest into is an external hard drive or somewhere where I can backup my data. You don't want to risk the chance of losing your files, photos, music at any point. These are some suggestions, I'm sure others can offer some ideas I've missed out on :) Enjoy your new purchase!

Sony vaio, Windows 8 upgraded FOC on line, AVG free anti virus thing, found far superior to Norton (paid). Would love a MAC but worried i wouldn't be able to master the darn thing. Hi, Sticky Wicket. With Macs the pleasant surprise was they're no-brainers. The brainy part (as in being user-friendly) [i'>was[/i'> up to Apple to figure out. Would I ever miss my old pc times, I still have an IBM lenovo ThinkPad, which does exactly that - it THINKS and is rather slow at that. And acts complicated, hard to get, makes me wait. But other than that, once I trick it to do its business, it's a perfect professional (or good enough for government work, go figure). Wish Lovelly happy shopping, still! You'll be richer for the experience.

Sony vaio, Windows 8 upgraded FOC on line, AVG free anti virus thing, found far superior to Norton (paid). Would love a MAC but worried i wouldn't be able to master the darn thing.

Get an Apple Mac. I agree - I'm a converted PC user. With Macs you don't need anti virus. With both of you. Nothing to do with religion, though, but everything to do with comfort. My last two (!) HP netbooks just fell apart, conveniently. And couldn't be bothered by the messy pc software install processes any longer. Love my MacBook Air 11"!! But I had my fun with pc's as long as it lasted. It's all about timing, I guess. ;)

Don't do the Windows starter pack. It was meant for net books, for people who wanted simple tasks like browsing, email,watching movies, etc. The Windows 7 Home pack is better just because it allows for added functionality in case you need it, in the future. Also check to see if the Office program is already installed with laptop or you have to upgrade/purchase separate. Usually, whether you buy a Mac or a Windows based laptop, you will have to buy separate programs for everything. There are installed programs on both that allow media playback, photo editing, etc, but any program worth using needs to be purchased/downloaded. There are alternatives available for free, like using Open Office instead of using Microsoft Office, so once you decide on the type of OS that you want, then you can search for free software to download. I personally used to use NOD32 antivirus software. One of its biggest advantages for me was that it was not a resource hog - as a program when it was on, it did not use a lot of the computers memory. It was also able to catch things that others weren't able to. Another antivirus software I would recommend is Kaspersky. Good reviews. Having said that, I now use a Windows XP - and haven't used an antivirus for about 2 years now. No problems. I just use an antimalware/spyware scanner once a month and it works fine for me. The Macs don't need antivirus spiel I don't subscribe too because there are malwares/spywares out there that can infect computers running the Mac OS/ios software. It all depends on your browsing/email/download habits. HTH

Windows 7 could be a bit difficult to use for those who have always used the previous versions of windows. HP or Lenovo anytime.. Processor speed and RAM size depends on what kind of work you have to do with your laptop. If it is I.T related work (coding,writing programs, working on the hardware and tweaking the software) then go for better speed and higher capacity but if its just for the usual Office Work, emails and other applications here and there, no point wasting money on higher capacity of RAM... I would suggest all ladies to get a laptop fan along with the laptop. Its a base you put the laptop on so that it doesn't heat up. Would you believe that my friend got burn marks over her hands and thighs thanks to her laptop?? McAfee is a good option. Unless you are a person who uses a laptop for 20 hours in a day, there is no point deciding whether MAC is better or a PC.

Mine came with Windows 7 Home Premium and I'm happy with that. If you get Windows 7 Starter you may want to upgrade later. There is a good summary of the differences here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions and this article also includes a link to the pricing of upgrades in the Microsoft Store.

Thanks SH, nice imput. I'm very inclined to buy one HP, what else did you buy with your netbook? Nothing immediately - in addition to the DVD R/W it came with MS Works & Windows Live which I later upgraded to MS Office. I extended the Norton subscription before it expired paying for I think 24 months as it offered the best price. Everything else I use regularly like Firefox, Nokia PC Suite & iTunes I downloaded for free. I transferred some paid for software from my old laptop by re-installing from the CDs too. The only other thing I pay for is Yahoo mail (£10 per year) so I could link my account to Outlook which makes it easier to manage diaries etc. Glad to be of help.

The MAC vs PC thing used to be a technology issue with one being more suited to graphics/design work and the other to business stuff like spreadsheets & databases. Thats no longer a real issue as the two have moved closer together - now its more a "religious" thing, what you are used to/find easier to use, like debates between different brands of anything really. The advice I always give is buy the most powerful one (ie processor speed, memory, hard disk space, screen definition etc) you can afford in the physical size that suits you - laptop, netbook etc. That way you'll not be moaning in a couple of years that its slow or you've run out of space. I chose a netbook as its light on my lap, easy to carry when travelling and has a long life battery as not driving peripherals like DVD read/writer that I only use occasionally. I got a deal that included a free external DVD read/writer so I have one if I need it. When buying look for deals that bundle stuff you will really use. The OS should come with it and you may get a free subscription period for an anti-virus service too. Anti-virus software too is subject to "passions" - all I would say is ensure you have a well known brand and make sure it is used properly. Finally bear in mind you might want to continue to use software you already have licences for so if you switch MAC to PC or vice versa these programmes may not be supported. Check this out before making your decision.

I use Mcafee, Norton is useless. As for laptops, I really dont know, I have a vaio, had initial probs with it, but touch wood its ok now. I hear Mac are hard to work out?????

Get an Apple Mac. I agree - I'm a converted PC user. With Macs you don't need anti virus.

and don't get a mac :\:

depends what you want it for. make sure it has plenty of RAM

Get an Apple Mac.