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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Buying A New PC
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02/11/2006 07:20:44 PM · #1
I am in the market to buy a new PC and I have a couple of questions for the PC experts here.

I am kind of interested in the Sony VAIO TV/PC combination. Does anybody here have one of them or know somebody who does? The price for it is not cheap but if it works well it might be worth it.

Also, I have noticed the depressing trend of new PC's nowadays all seeming to have norton anti-virus and internet security software pre-loaded. I HATE Norton software, having had nothing but bad experiences with their garbage. I resent PC manufacturers, who probably get a kickback fee from Symantic, trying to shove Norton crap down my throat. Enough ranting, but is it possible to either specify 'no norton junk' when buying a new PC, or simply bypass and uninstall it when getting the new PC? My worry is that the sneaky and insidious norton software would immediatly take over a new PC when it is first booted up; for example making you activate it immediatly or else clogging up your screen with constant 'virus protection is out of date' messages as has happened to me before. Another worry is that the presence of norton trash would prevent McAfee, or Zone Alarm, or something else from installing cleanly.

Any advice on avoiding norton completely would certainly be appreciated.

Thank you!

02/11/2006 07:24:13 PM · #2
When this PC fails I'm switching to Apple. I have so had it with unfinished Microsoft crap and security hole after hole. I would not recommend a PC to anyone anymore.


02/11/2006 07:33:06 PM · #3
With Dell you have a choice between Norton, McAfee and PC-cillin. Whatever comes pre-installed can be uninstalled completely.

The reason PCs are subject to such attack is because 95% of the market uses them. Macs just aren't worth it at 3%.
02/11/2006 07:36:12 PM · #4
Ever thought of assembling your own Rig, Just an option, then you have Total Control..

02/11/2006 08:33:53 PM · #5
I second the building it yourself option - it's a great learning experience, even if it does cost you a little more if you buy similar parts as what would be in a pre-built system.. don't cheap out if you build it yourself, but on the other hand, don't opt for overclocking-marketed components unless you're really going to overclock a lot. A good Antec or Chieftec or CoolerMaster case, Abit/Asus/MSI board, brand-name memory. I recommend Seagate hard drives. Make sure you have a good power supply as well (might come with the case, depending on the model you get).

If you build it yourself, you'll have to load it which means you won't need to load Norton (an excellent plan too, Norton thinks it should consume about 9/10ths of available resources... and that's when it's not even scanning or updating).
Or you could buy one of the server models from most of the brands, that don't come with an OS by default (well, I know Dell sells some with no license or OS installed, not sure about others). But those may or may not be what you're looking for.. I think a lot of them don't have onboard sound, and might not have a standard PCI express graphics slot either.
02/11/2006 08:41:57 PM · #6
//video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6553260189868317794
02/11/2006 08:49:33 PM · #7
I build all my own towers and do several a year for other people. Even doing them for the dealership now. I buy bare bones systems from this place. //www.pcdirectsource.com they rock on their shipping and the prices are hard to beat. I can usually beat a storebought price by a few hundred dollars.

MattO
02/11/2006 08:51:16 PM · #8
Get a mac.

That said, if you really want a PC, build your own.
02/11/2006 09:07:27 PM · #9
I have a Dell w/McAfee for about 3 years now. I haven't had a single problem.
Bottom line with whatever you buy.....watch what websites you go to, don't open any e-mail you don't recognize and don't give your e-mail addy to any lesser known websites (tons of garbage will follow).
#1 Get a good virus scanner with a firewall. My PC has McAfee and my laptop has Norton's. Personally, I prefer Mcafee.
#2 Use a pop-up blocker. I use AOL Explorer to browse and it has 1 built in.
#3 I use a program called 'Window Washer' before I scan for viruses and spyware (every Sunday). It cleans out your temps, recycle bin, cookies (you can choose which to keep) and other junk (it's customizable).
#4 Ask MattO to build you one
02/11/2006 09:15:47 PM · #10
Originally posted by TLL061:

//video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6553260189868317794


ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
02/11/2006 09:17:46 PM · #11
Oh yeah. Try a Dell and I agree, use MacAfee. I do and have no problems.
02/11/2006 09:23:03 PM · #12
I use a combination of Grisoft's AVG Free antivirus (which is actually free) as well as Spybot, Mozilla Firefox, and Spyware Blaster and I have never had a problem. As long as you keep your virus protection and spyware protection up to date, there shouldn't be that much of a problem. As far as which PC, my parents have a Sony VAIO at home, the only thing that's good about it is the monitor. Other than that, it isn't so great. Building your own would save you some money, unless you want a very low end PC, in which case Dell has some very nice deals.
02/11/2006 09:51:43 PM · #13
Originally posted by Azrifel:

When this PC fails I'm switching to Apple. I have so had it with unfinished Microsoft crap and security hole after hole. I would not recommend a PC to anyone anymore.


I would prefer an Apple myself, but unfortunatly my doggone employer only provides log-on-from-home services for Windows.
02/11/2006 09:53:14 PM · #14
Originally posted by buzzrock:

Ever thought of assembling your own Rig, Just an option, then you have Total Control..


Perhaps 25 years ago as an option for me.......
02/11/2006 09:59:54 PM · #15
Dell and McAfee all the way. Just throw the updates on automatic and you should have no problems. I have 5 towers and 3 laptops at home, 15 towers in the office, 4 in the field and a dell server. My home machines all have upgraded graphics and have no problem with true color. I have 1 mac and I've had more problems on that than any other. Simply because I have to mimic windows to run some applications. I definately wouldn't try to build my own because you may always run into hardware conflicts. Its just so much less hassle to buy a complete system.
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