Best antivirus for use with Vista on MiniNote

[CyberBob859]

I just got my MiniNote from Tigerdirect a few weeks ago. I used the Vista Optimization Guide to help with system performance. While bootup times are still longer than I would like, the MiniNote is perfectly usable for what I want to do.

I've been experimenting with different anti-virus programs, and haven't found one to my liking. Microsoft's OneCare dragged down system performance A LOT. Webroot's Internet Security Suite was better with performance, but I experienced a lot of system freeze-ups and hanging with it.

Has anybody found a decent anti-virus and spyware program which doesn't affect performance, keeps Vista running (no hanging), and yet is still effective?

I don't mind spending a small amount of money for this, but I want to make sure that my MiniNote is still stable and usable after installation. Freeware, shareware, or trialware is fine.

Thanks

[zbrown0529]

I personally use Avast! Professional
its cheap and works great
the freeware version is nice too

[Twisted]

using Norton Internet Security 2008.... so far it's been a great little package to run... Norton has gotten rid of a LOT of bloat and from what I read in the mags.... 2009 runs very low on PC resources... looking forward to upgrading to that when the time comes

[CyberBob859]

Wow - talk about quick replies.

I haven't heard of Avast Professional. I'm assuming this is the version you're talking about:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_professional.html

Good to see that they have a long trial period.

With regards to Norton - is this the version that comes with the MiniNote? I haven't been a big fan of Norton because their software tended to be very big and take up a lot of resources. Then it would be hard to completely remove it from the system. If they got their act together, I'll consider it. But it seems like the MiniNote requires something lean and mean.

[luvit]

for the record i use http://pack.google.com
Norton (scheduled scanning, not active scanning)
Spyware Doctor (active scanning, awesome)

[azotyp]

Why to use trial of proffesional, when you have avast home edition as freeware with normal virus definition updates.
PS I use avira antivir personal edition (don't know if it is best but it eats less ram than avast)

[Twisted]

no cyberbob... this was not included with the mini.. As I recall there was anti-virus stuff included..(trial ware or otherwise)

[CyberBob859]

for the record i use http://pack.google.com
Norton (scheduled scanning, not active scanning)
Spyware Doctor (active scanning, awesome)

Interesting. I may check this out. Thanks.

[CyberBob859]

no cyberbob... this was not included with the mini.. As I recall there was anti-virus stuff included..(trial ware or otherwise)

I noticed a Norton Security Suite that was included with the HP Software Setup, but as I said previously, I was hesitant to try it. I'll look at their new version.

[Twisted]

OOOOPpppsss.. sorry typo on my end... meant to say there was NO antivirus stuff on my mini when I got it, as far as I could recall. But, maybe I'm wrong. I've done a ton of changes to Vista to cut out all the Bubble-Gum stuff and keep it running as resourceful as possible.

I just read 2 mags in the last week that were saying how good Norton has become. in the last 2 years...(resource wise) PCmag and I think the other was Maximum PC....

I've always been a big fan of Norton. But, YES, in the last few years the programs were major resource hogs. I build my own high-end gaming PC's, and have very fast machines, so I wouldn't really notice the lag caused by Norton. I've always sworn by Systemworks myself and have it running on all my machines at home.
Hope this helps....