Question about sager np5165

Hello,
This is my first time using this forum to post, so i hope this is the proper area to use.
I just purchased the np5165 for my coming semester of college.
i will list my configuration in case this will help you answer my questions.
i7 2630
8gb 2x4 1333mhz ram
gt 555m gpu w/ optimus
standard 8x disc drive
hybrid hdd w/ 4gb ssd cache. (proper ssd was out of my budget)
also i got ic diamond thermal although im sure i couldve got a tube myself cheaper i didnt want to be taking my new laptop apart when i first got it because i am not that good.

So anyways, I am asking these questions because they are some of the problems i previously had on my current desktop.

Based on my configuration, what security software/suite will be most effective without causing my computer to slow down?

I use norton 360 on my desktop and it was very dissapointing. I read about this bitdefender antivirus plus 2012 on toptenreviews.com and it sounds great, but it also seems like there are some bad user ratings for bitdefender out there. Will this software actually run as well as advertised or is it just to fool people like me?
Antivirus Software, Virus Protection, Internet Security - Bitdefender

I am trying to get some accessories online before i recieve the laptop, does this model need a cooling pad? i dont want to spend money i dont need to, but i also want my computer to not overheat. The only reason i ask is that i dont know how cool the optimus feature might keep the laptop.

Is DVD cloner 8 worth the money or would there be free burner software that might match the quality?

finally, is ninite.com a safe way to install all my free stuff after i have the laptop ready? or do they give viruses?

Thank you for reading i hope someone can help me out with these things i will very much appreciate it.

PS. My college course (first year) is computer programmer analyst. Is there any software you could recommend to me that i might be able to use during my course, or before my course to practice?

-Galen

PPS. If that HTWingnut guy sees this, i read a lot of your forum posts and they helped me decide on my laptop greatly, so thank you!

 

Those are a bunch of loaded specific questions, and are mostly software while I'd tend to think this board is more hardware driven.

That being said, I will try and give some input.

As far as AV, I never install it personally. Yes I get problems on occasion but if you're like me, you format regularly (every 6-12mo). The best AV is avoiding websites you don't know. There are also free options out there (such as Bitdefender like you mentioned - I'll put a plug in for Malwarebytes).

I'd suggest getting a cooling pad if it is your only computer. They aren't terribly expensive but will help extend the age of your components. Heat is the #1 part killer in a laptop because there isn't much room for the heat to go.

DVD Cloner 8? Never heard of it. I personally use Slysoft's CloneDVD. They have a free emulator so you don't even need DVD's to install / play movies . SlySoft Products | Copy Movie DVDs with AnyDVD and CloneDVD

Never heard of Ninite. I'd google about the website and come to your own conclusion. Google things like Ninite reviews, etc.

As I write code myself, I like the free program Dev C++, downloadable at Bloodshed Software - Providing Free Software to the internet community. It is a free compiler with a lot of options.

 

Thanks for your input. Ill have to look into some of that software.

 

For your class, you'll probably have a particular software that you'll be using (or suggested to use). I would email the professor and ask him/her; it might be annoying to switch programs when you're used to another one.

For the cooling pad, what are you going to be doing with the computer? If you're doing a lot of intensive stuff, it definitely can't hurt. It also gives the computer a flat surface to sit on so that you're not blocking any vents. I find it easier to type with a cooling pad as it slants the keyboard towards me instead of it being flat.

I've heard good things about avast, but as to what's the best... I'm not really sure.

No idea on the DVD burning software/ninite.com

 

The place you should be looking at for good Anti-Virus information is:

AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

Personally I have used recently Avira and Norton Internet Security. I find the Norton is a better all around for Virus and Malware. I can run just the Norton and not need to secondary scan with Malwarebytes. Again this is my personal experience.

I have been having a problem with Avira on my work computer sucking up a lot of memory after several days of leaving the machine on 24 hours a day, And since the memory is quite limited it (and I cannot upgrade the memory) forces me to reboot to clear up.

As far as a cooling pad, with the 5165 it can’t hurt. They appear to run on the hot side, however I have never once heard of anyone having reliability issues so far. (After all it has only been out for a short period of time)

 

For the security software I use Norton Internet Security. It's the AV and firewall without the backup stuff of 360. You can find it free after rebates frequently. Otherwise, I use Microsoft Security Essentials.

On the pad - I'd check to see how hot the laptop gets. If you're using it on a hard surface (a desk or table) you may not need one. If you're using it on your lap you should get at least a passive cooler.

For the burning software - what are you planning on burning? Window 7 can do basic burning. Are you authoring DVDs?

Ninite.com is fantastic. I've never had a problem with them. I believe they just build the installer that pulls the programs from their respective sites.

 

i will be doing some programming in school probably very basic.
web browsing (including lots of streaming videos probably)
watching hd videos and stuff on vlc media player
sometimes i might play starcraft 2 but nothing else really.

microsoft securxity essentials sound reasonable, would this be something i could use alone to protect the computer? im not interested in multiple security softwares. ( note. i have never had a virus before i dont click on stupid emails, links, or ads and whenip i download torrents i only select files that are .avi format)

dvd cloner8 is something i read about which sounded appealing to me. it can 'clone' a dvd with menu and everything without loss of quality. also it can copy a dvd-9 onto a dvd-5 disc. it can also do some converting stuff into .avi
i would like a software capable of this stuff, so windows built in stuff wont be good. nero 8 may also be a possibility but i am not fond of nero.

i think i have decided to get a cooling pad its just a matter of which one. i heard there are some with movable fans which sounds interesting but i dont know the name of it. also i read on this forum you can undervolt(?) the i72630 to 88% and it will use 1 volt instead of 1.22 which reduces temp by like 10C and might save battery life.. is this a good idea or is there some downside i should know about?


thanks for all the replies.

 

Microsoft Security Essentials are just the essentials. You would want to consider something else like Malwarebytes to go with it. It gives you basic AV and Firewall.

For programming software, you should check out https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx. You might be able to take advantage of some of the stuff there if you're programming with Microsoft.

Starcraft relies heavily on the CPU more than the GPU.