Since it seem we've got threads about what to know when getting your laptop , and the fact that I have a lot of time on my hands right now, Might as well throw together a thread on things to get or do to your laptop after you've got it. Plus it's a link stash for me in case I lose my backups. 
The Essentials
1.Go to the Windows Update site and update your laptop with every last critical update they have. That includes getting Service Pack 2.
Windows Update Link
2. Get Firefox.
Firefox Link
3. Get Spybot.
Spybot Link
4. Get Ad-aware SE Personal.
Ad-Aware Link
5. Get AVG Free Virus Scanner.
AVG Link
6.Get a firewall. I use Sygate's free version. But there are others.
Sygate Free Version Link
7.Finally add this link to your favorites. It's the best virus scanner I know off. Keyword is virus scanner though. It'll catch things Spybot, Ad-Aware, and AVG miss or can't remove. From there you can google up the problem program and find out how to remove it manually.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
That does it for my essential section. Do all the listed steps and your laptop, and desktops for that matter, shall be protected from most things. I still haven't gotten a virus or spyware prog yet.
Now for the extra stuff
Programs
-Approcket - It's this fun little program I found that basically sets up a find bar you can call up and... know what. Go to the website, read about it or try it out. Again go with what ever is the free version. I really don't know how to explain it well.
Approcket Link
-Azereus - Friends say it's the best bittorrent prog out there. Not sure why but it works.
Azereus Link
-Sysreset - Mirc Prog. As with azereus. I use because friends say it's good. Not sure why.
Sysreset Link
Guides
-Optimizing your notebook -
Note : You can potentially screw up your computer doing some of this stuff, or screwing up trying to do some of this stuff.
-This guide is from notebookreview.com and is explaining how to speed up boot time and shutdown time
Optimizing your notebook Link
-This guide I found from Smilepak's FAQ thread. It's from overclockers.com and is about the same thing from the looks of it. But more towards getting the most out of your laptop in terms of graphics.
Benchmarking Guide Link
-Things to do with firefox.
-Get the adblock extension
Adblock link
-Speed up firefox if your a broadband user. Yes I know this is already linked to in the FAQ thread. As mentioned. This is a link stash for me.
Props to smilepak for making the thread.
Firefox Speed up Thread
Oh well that it for me. I'm sure there is more fun stuff out there. So if you've got something post it and I'll update this thing.
The Essentials
1.Go to the Windows Update site and update your laptop with every last critical update they have. That includes getting Service Pack 2.
Windows Update Link
2. Get Firefox.
Firefox Link
3. Get Spybot.
Spybot Link
4. Get Ad-aware SE Personal.
Ad-Aware Link
5. Get AVG Free Virus Scanner.
AVG Link
6.Get a firewall. I use Sygate's free version. But there are others.
Sygate Free Version Link
7.Finally add this link to your favorites. It's the best virus scanner I know off. Keyword is virus scanner though. It'll catch things Spybot, Ad-Aware, and AVG miss or can't remove. From there you can google up the problem program and find out how to remove it manually.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
That does it for my essential section. Do all the listed steps and your laptop, and desktops for that matter, shall be protected from most things. I still haven't gotten a virus or spyware prog yet.
Now for the extra stuff
Programs
-Approcket - It's this fun little program I found that basically sets up a find bar you can call up and... know what. Go to the website, read about it or try it out. Again go with what ever is the free version. I really don't know how to explain it well.
Approcket Link
-Azereus - Friends say it's the best bittorrent prog out there. Not sure why but it works.
Azereus Link
-Sysreset - Mirc Prog. As with azereus. I use because friends say it's good. Not sure why.
Sysreset Link
Guides
-Optimizing your notebook -
Note : You can potentially screw up your computer doing some of this stuff, or screwing up trying to do some of this stuff.
-This guide is from notebookreview.com and is explaining how to speed up boot time and shutdown time
Optimizing your notebook Link
-This guide I found from Smilepak's FAQ thread. It's from overclockers.com and is about the same thing from the looks of it. But more towards getting the most out of your laptop in terms of graphics.
Benchmarking Guide Link
-Things to do with firefox.
-Get the adblock extension
Adblock link
-Speed up firefox if your a broadband user. Yes I know this is already linked to in the FAQ thread. As mentioned. This is a link stash for me.
Props to smilepak for making the thread.Firefox Speed up Thread
Oh well that it for me. I'm sure there is more fun stuff out there. So if you've got something post it and I'll update this thing.
