[ListedGuru]

I ordered a 10V from the Dell Outlet (got the 6 cell version). Anyway I have a few questions:

- Is it really necessary to do a fresh install of XP?

-Should I upgrade the memory to 2GB? If so what memory do you suggest?

-Any good travel bags (cases) for the (6) cell 10V?

-What Virus protection are you guys running?

Thanks a million,

-Guru

[DeanJ]

I've just taken delivery of two mini 10v's. One for me and one for the ex. The one for the ex I was going to put a fresh install of XP on for her (I installed OSX on mine) but when I looked there wasn't actually that much "junk" installed anyway (compared to some laptops i've seen anyway) so just did a remove of the apps she didn't need, it seems to run well.

As for memory I'd say upgrade, you might as well as memory is quite cheap these days and can imagine you'll notice a difference. I went for Crucial myself although not installed it yet as i'm waiting for a replacement touchpad too.

NOD32 is a good virus checker and very lightweight. Or if you're after something free I find avast good, better than AVG anyway. Or just install OSX and you wont need one

I've yet to start the hunt for a case.

[ListedGuru]

Originally Posted by DeanJ

I've just taken delivery of two mini 10v's. One for me and one for the ex. The one for the ex I was going to put a fresh install of XP on for her (I installed OSX on mine) but when I looked there wasn't actually that much "junk" installed anyway (compared to some laptops i've seen anyway) so just did a remove of the apps she didn't need, it seems to run well.

As for memory I'd say upgrade, you might as well as memory is quite cheap these days and can imagine you'll notice a difference. I went for Crucial myself although not installed it yet as i'm waiting for a replacement touchpad too.

NOD32 is a good virus checker and very lightweight. Or if you're after something free I find avast good, better than AVG anyway. Or just install OSX and you wont need one

I've yet to start the hunt for a case.

Thanks for the info... What web browsers are most of you folks using here? Is Firefox the way to go? What about Google Chrome?

-Guru

[sal57]

I am using Chrome - it is so clean and fast, it is perfect for a netbook.

As for a case - just got a Belkin case on sale through Dell - it fits the 6 cell, but only if you put it in battery first. Maybe that should be obvious but it was not to me. Link here: Dell : Belkin Inc Black Laptop Sleeve - Fits Laptops with Screen Sizes Up to 10-inch - Designed for Dell : Laptop/Notebook Accessories : Home & Home Office

It is nice and fits very snuggly. I carry it in an old Swiss Army bag I got at Costco years ago. Carried my old Compaq R4100 and stuff.

I don't really see the need for ram yet, but i have yet to upgrade to win7 - coming soon!

[sal57]

They keep running these pop-up upgrade windows - I am that close to deleting and running avast, which I use on my desktop and its great.

[ListedGuru]

Well I finally received my refurb 10V via fedex today. I was hoping to get the 1024 x 600 screen but mine is only 576 - no biggie I guess...

What apps did you guys delete (bloatware) that Dell puts on?

Now I need to find a Virus protection program (I'm thinking either Avira or Avast)... Any other suggestions?

Also how do I adjust the screen brightness on this?

-Guru

[Hairball]

Just go to add/remove programs and remove whatever you wouldn't use, most are unnecessary, like their antivirus trial.

I'm using Avira right now and it seems to work pretty fast and it's free, I haven't had problems.

For screen brightness, press the Fn key and F4 and F5 (there are icons on the keyboard)

[cerkit]

Originally Posted by Hairball

Just go to add/remove programs and remove whatever you wouldn't use, most are unnecessary, like their antivirus trial.

I'm using Avira right now and it seems to work pretty fast and it's free, I haven't had problems.

For screen brightness, press the Fn key and F4 and F5 (there are icons on the keyboard)

Don't all shoot me, but I'm using Microsoft's OneCare for backup, Virus, and Firewall protection. It's been working great for me and has even stopped a few worms from infecting my system. For 49.95, you get protection for three computers for a year. I've been using it for three years now with no problems.

[sti robot]

There isn't much bloatware. I got rid of:
MS Works -> replaced with openoffice
the silly webcam program
dell support, remote thingy
the 6 or so MS live applications
MSN chat
Box.net link thing

What of the wireless management programs can I get rid of? Right now there are three things "managing" the wireless sitting on my taskbar (the red "W" that turns wireless on and off, the one that is 3 or 4 bars that actually manages the connection, and the windows one that is the icon with 2 computer monitors).