[Aurora D.]

I was wondering what programs and software you feel is necessary when adding software to a brand new computer (i.e spyware remover, security, etc.)? What I specifically want to know is what software do you add to prevent your computer from lagging and optimize its performance?

Also, what operating system do you feel is best, XP or Vista? Thanks a million...

[Lexluethar]

Windows 7 comes out in October this year, so if you can wait that long i'd purchase the OS then. Otherwise, Vista would be the better OS.

As for software I would use Avast! for your virus protection and Spybot S&D for your spyware and registry cleaner. THat is really it, you just need a solid virus protection and a solid spyware protection.

[carnageX]

Please see this topic, as you're going to get the same answers as Mak and I have provided:
New Software

Each person's need is different for software, so we can't tell you what you need, as we don't know what you do.

[Trotter]

Originally Posted by Lex

Windows 7 comes out in October this year, so if you can wait that long i'd purchase the OS then. Otherwise, Vista would be the better OS.

The "Release Candidate" for Win7 is available and free to use for a year, so that would be my choice of OS, at least until it ran out (I am running it right now). I would then move to the full version.