Please, please tell me Windows 7 is secure.
 

I need a new 17 inch laptop. I want an intel i7 Core processor.

I can build out a Dell XPS box for about $1600. The equivalent Apple would cost me $3000!

This seems like a no brainer, but I am running an XP box, and I am SICK of getting viruses, adware, etc. I run AVG and have adaware installed. I'm typically pretty adept at cleaning up it there is a problem....but WHY is there an ****** problem? Seriously. I surf ZERO porn sites on this thing, its used 90% for work. I keep getting stuff and its driving me nuts. I simply don't have the time to blow 2-3 hours cleaning the thing up when I need to be working.

So.....is Windows 7 lightyears ahead of XP from a security persepective? Please say yes, because like hell I ever though I would consider a Mac.....but......:(

Seriously consider an AMD Phenon II X4 Laptop. Some very Sweet ones for under $1K, with 17 in monitors.

Amazon.com: Acer Aspire AS7551G-5056 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black): Computer & Accessories

I bought my brother-in-law a lower end version of this for $505, and he loves it.

99% of the time, it's something you do to it, even back to XP. Self-propagating stuff is really really rare.

As in the other thread (why is there a new one?)... Run Win7, Security Essentials, Auto Updates, and don't click on dumb stuff adn you'll be fine.

Usually my personal PCs don't even have an AV install on them, I've only recently been using Security Essentials since it's light enough to not be annoying (I hate Symantec, etc. as they always cause me trouble)

I haven't had a virus or piece of spyware on my personal machines in I can't even remember how long.

On your XP box, if you're running IE6, that's a lot of the problem you're probably having.

Also, if it's a home machine, for mostly Office apps, etc., just get an ASUS or something from Newegg. The build quality on them is just as nice as a Dell, for typically much less money.

(As I type this on a Dell, but I only buy Latitudes, even more expensive than XPSs, but with 3yr NBD support, etc. so it's a different sort of thing.)

Rob, check out the ACER 17" AMD machine I suggested. For $749, is it about equal to this Dell E6500, for less than 1/2 the price.

Yeah, the Acer is nice, but a lower screen res than what I was looking at, among other things, memory, etc.

I also don't buy AMDs, but that's just because I had lots of problems with them being weird in the past. Nothing wrong with the processors, it's mostly the chipset makers that do stuff to be cheap.

Anyways, aside from the hardware again, yes, Win7 is a huge difference security wise from XP, there is a lot of fundamentally different architecture that makes it so.

Another question I go to is if the big bad laptop is really really what you want.

For the same price you can almost always get a just as powerful desktop alongside a far more portable laptop. For instance, go with a smaller Acer than what red-beard recommended in the same price range, and buy a $800 or so desktop as well.

Personally, I'm always much happier with that setup.

See if you can find those machines at retail.

Some of them can be absolute beasts, as in barely portable.

I agree. I ended up building a desktop, top of the line AMD, for well under $1K. Add to that a machine like my Bother in law (Athalon 4 core) for $500.

As far as the AMD and issues. none so far. The AMDs are even approved for AutoCad.

I can tell you that the ACER machine is very portable.

Ya... the Acer is light... Its made from cheap ****ty plastic that will fall apart.... They rank right above HP with me... Both companies just aren't there on the build quality. My Dell is closing on its 3rd year of hard living, sure the hinge has a little play, but the rest of the machine is running strong. I'd seriously look at Toshiba laptops. They seem to be among the best fit and finish wise. The XPS series of dell are good too, just pricey, my cousin has an XPS that survived and RV rollover where the fridge landed on it!


Another note on Acer.... They actually make a netbook with a sealed HD... As in it can't be removed or replaced! HD crashes? Too bad, you gotta buy a new netbook.....

IBM
Lenovo
Asus
Sony
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Dell
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Acer
HP
Compaq

I'd think twice about Dell and XPS line. I've been a big dell fan for years, but my wife bought an $1800 XPS machine less than two years ago, damn thing just burned its 3rd motherboard. First two motherboards were repaired under warranty, now we have an $1800 paper weight. Dell wants almost $750 to fix it. If you get an XPS spend the money and get a LONG warranty.

If I ever buy a dell again, which is doubtful right now, I'd look at the latitude lineup. I had one of those last 3 years of heavy use. Everyday for work, and recreationally in the evening.

Did they do any trouble shooting to figure out why the MBs were burning out? Could it be a bad power supply?

Tell me what you have in there, processor, cards, video, etc. I expect we can get you up and running for under $200.

Man Red Beard if you'all helped me get this thing running for $200 you'd make my wife the happiest woman this side of the Mississippi.

They did no trouble shooting, simply brought a new (refurbished) MB, took the laptop apart put it back together, and took off.

Here is a list of what is in there:
Dell XPS M1330, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300(2.4GHz, 800Mhz, 3M L2 Cache)

4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1330

Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, XPS M1330

250G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive

Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card

If you want me to PM you more info I'd be happy to. I don't want to hijack the OP's thread.

(+1 on the bad power supply burning out motherboard after motherboard. Also check what's upstream of that as well(house juice).
Uninterupted power source is cheaper than the headaches.)

As for spam, virus, etc., the least time connected to the internet the better.

They don't fix themselves, and they only partially break themselves(unless it's MS software:).

Hmmmmm....thank you for the advice, but I guess I was asking about Windows 7 security. I want zero, and I do mean zero security issues.

I DON'T click on ads, never respond to spam(don't download graphics). I'm not a moron. Seriously. What burns my ass is that I have treated this box as a 'clean room', and the damn thing has a wicked virus on it. All search results regardless of search engine or browser end up getting redirected. I have tried, avast, Maleware bytes, Adaware, AVG, a crap load of manual fixes.....nothing.

There was an exploit running around a year or so ago that changed your DNS settings.

Check control panel/Network Connections/The connection profile you are connected with, assume Wireless open it and hit properties, in the list scroll down to Internet Protocal (TCP/IP), select and hit Properties, under the General tab the default is "Obtain DNS server automatically", if "Use the following DNS server address" is selected then what is the IP address entered there?

Hrm, and regardless of OS, you are running it through at least some sort of firewall right, not just directly attached to the net with a real IP?

Just checking.

Pay the $$ for an Apple.

Security was the decider for me, I went Mac and zero issues since.
BTW, the whole platform is more stable too, no crashes, no "blue screen of death"
Mac freaks are smug bast4rd5, but there's good reason they're smug.

Apple--it just works.

It's funny. It all depends on what you do and where you go. I've been running Win7 without AV for the last year. Basically 0 issues and I do go places where the timid should really stay away.

How do you make a post, and not have the post counter increase? Also, why is MS going to the OT section of a Car Forum to answer questions?

Good question...

They're watching.....

Don't surf as an administrator- go as a user. I haven't had a virus in years and no AV on anything.

rjp

LOL, now that's hysterical. We're getting spammed by Microsoft! :eek:

Buy an Apple!!!! :D

I, for one, welcome the visit from our Microsoft overlords. :)

I'm sure that Microsoft is scanning the interwebs for any comments regarding the security of their systems. Then, stepping up and trying to debunk concerns.

Have to agree - Apple is the way to go.

However I have to say my Win7 machine is pretty darned stable.

I don't see the need for a desktop anymore. Seriously. Laptops are just as powerful, if not more so - and are portable if you need them to be. I doubt I'll ever waste money on another desktop computer. There just isn't a reason, IMHO.

I have been running Win7 for almost a year using Microsoft Security Essentials. Not a single issue. BTW - I have not had a BSOD since XP sp2.

I disagree with PoP regarding desktop computer. A desktop can be spec'd with better quality components and is easily upgradeable. After having made the move to a dual head display I find working with a laptop displays a PITA.
Apple products are really nice too. I just never got comfortable working with OSX and none of my customers use Apple. Made the switch back to Win and love it. I also run RedHat and various older Win systems with VMware. Awesome.

realize that Intel is about to release the Sandy Bridge processor family...

may make a diff. for you

I used to agree with this. But then I built a specific purpose desktop...and it was much faster than my laptop, which was still pretty state of the art.

I think the way to go now is a Win 7 desktop and my Win 7 tablet. The desktop is more powerful than my laptop, especially at drawings. The Tablet is much more portable than my laptop, and faster and still more portable than my older netbook. It is fast enough for most of my needs and runs the same programs as my laptop.

Win 7/ Microsoft Security Essentials and you're good to go. Keep the patches and updates current and you'll be fine and use Mozilla FireFox instead of IE.

I've had no issues with my Acer laptop with Win7 and Norton anti-virus software. And my computer's kind of a slut :D.

BTW, I just built my first computer with my son with parts from newegg. It started right up (on the second try, one wire was off). $900 for a pretty darn fast gaming computer including $99 for win7.

Best advice in this entire thread. IE sux and is nothing more than a train wreck going to happen.

Pffft....whatever.

Join the cult at your own risk.

I won't agree to the user agreement.

Firefox on my macbook= Lightning fast awesome.....



What happened to the Microsoft spammer?

Have pretty much switched over to Google Chrome. Even faster than FireFox.