Laptop, Windows related Question

[nWo4Life]

Here are the specs for my Laptop
Model : Dell Inspiron 6000
Operating System Windows XP
Memory 504 mb
Processor 1.5 Ghz
Hard Drive 52 GB
CD CD burner/ DVD Player

My laptop is a number of years old and I have done many system restarts over the course of 4 years. A weird thing which is occurring is when I am listening to windows media player and having an excel open it is taking up 80% of my CPU usage. My brother has an identical laptop and his cpu usage is 8 percent even when playing music and having the same programs open.

The only difference I can think of is he is using the McAfee Security Center which came with the dell, even though he hasn't downloaded any updates for it since 2007. I deleted that one to purchase AOL McAfee Security Center. Would the differences in McAfee make such a huge difference? Another thought, I use a external hard drive WD to store my music. Every time after I take it out my computer slows down considerable--is that the cause?

[nWo4Life]

Another thought, would it make a difference if I only have 16.5 GB of free space, he has 20.

[direwolf-pgh]

Start > Run type: taskmgr (hit enter)
note/study the programs/processes/performance tabs

your answer resides within the information given.
new laptops are $450.. I would not invest any money in older technology upgrades.

also, your laptop is probably using the external drive as a 'swap file' - perhaps thats why it slows when unplugged.

dump any $$ antivirus and consider free.avg.com (free avg antivirus)

[nWo4Life]

Thanks,
Is the virus protection program I bought from AOL that much of a resource hog? I do plan on getting a good computer within the next 2 months, haven't decided if I want a laptop or desk.

[paddington]

MOST consumer av programs are ridiculous resource hogs. SAV Corp 10.x is really lean and effective, if you can get that. Otherwise, free AVG does a really good job, considering the price.

as far as upgrading.. why pay? There is a tried and true TTD method available for getting a decent used laptop for free....

[mooncusser]

sounds like james is offering. you might want to check first if it will be a Windows or Linux pc.

[paddington]

actually my offer is a standing one (OS is flexible), but only to females, of course.. though it does slightly deviate from the standard TTD procedure, as I don't really like that particular method...

[Karst]

Ditch the Dell, get an Apple Mac

[nWo4Life]

Funny you should mention that, worked with someone who had a MacBook Pro and being the first time working with a Mac was extremely impressed. I like the feature to toggle between 9 different windows and the ability to move one program to another, keyboard was better to type with. Only real draw back I found is that his Excel and Word programs were not that good and didnt have a lot of features on windows.

[VRMan]

Originally Posted by nWo4life

Funny you should mention that, worked with someone who had a MacBook Pro and being the first time working with a Mac was extremely impressed. I like the feature to toggle between 9 different windows and the ability to move one program to another, keyboard was better to type with. Only real draw back I found is that his Excel and Word programs were not that good and didnt have a lot of features on windows.

The "only real drawback"?? How 'bout the fact that you can pick up a "decent" Win lappy for $400-$500 brand new and the Macbook Pros run more than double that used and $1,700 and up new? Of COURSE the Mac users will tell you "you get what you pay for" but as far as I'm concerned not THAT much better unless you've got the money to burn (and it doesn't sound like you do).

[direwolf-pgh]

Originally Posted by nWo4life

I like the feature to toggle between 9 different windows and the ability to move one program to another

ALT + Tab is your friend.

open a bunch of stuff.. keep tapping the tab key holding Alt

[nWo4Life]

Originally Posted by direwolf-pgh

ALT + Tab is your friend.

open a bunch of stuff.. keep tapping the tab key holding Alt

Cool, learn something new everyday

[Karst]

Originally Posted by VRMan

Of COURSE the Mac users will tell you "you get what you pay for" but as far as I'm concerned not THAT much better unless you've got the money to burn (and it doesn't sound like you do).

You pay for quality, my friend. Look at the OP - doesn't that tell you all?

[Five]

quality OS, poor hardware :P

[nWo4Life]

For me my next computer is a tossup between this

http://store.apple.com/us-hed/configure/Z0FP -- say around 1,600


or

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do -- spend about 1,500 - 1,600 too