Buying a new computer, tiny bit of advice needed

[ValiantKnight]

I can run an anti-virus, web browser, IM client and Winamp fine on 256 megs of ram on XP, however 512 adds a safety margin. So saying you cannot run a decent install of XP on 256 megs of ram is bull, pure and simple. Also if you need to run Norton to browse the internet and feel secure rather then a lighter product then you shouldn't be (a) on the internet and (b) should definatly not be using Limewire as Norton would be useless as Limewire is basically a backdoor for virii and Trojans

Edit: I'm not saying Norton isn't any good, it is a decent product when configured properly but if you're just going to install Norton and think your completely safe then you are very, very wrong.

I don't use norton, just my relatives seem to
I was just mentioning that if Roto did decide to go the norton and p2p sharing route, Roto would need to get more ram in the laptop.

Friend had a Windows 98 computer with absolutely nothing on it besides an internet connection, browser, a few CD kids games, and then he put Internet security on the computer With 256mb of ram, the startup time went from 30sec or less, to over 5minutes.

[Roto13]

I know how much ram I'll need, thank you. xP

I got my new computer today. I settled on an Acer Aspire 5920, with a nice 3 gigs of ram and 320 gig hard drive, and it was on sale for $699 as opposed to the usual $849. :P The only down side is the fact that I couldn't get XP pre installed, only Vista, and the warranty apparently won't cover it if Vista isn't installed. I'll have to install XP myself. I think I have a disc around here somewhere.

Anyway, I wanna thank everyone for your help. :)

EDIT: If the link asks for a zip code, say A0N 1A0.

[Baloki]

*wins cos he has an Asus EeePC*

*dances*

[Rostum]

I know what what I want the insides of my laptop to be able to do, and I know what I need for them to do it. :P I just want to know who makes laptops that don't fall apart. Also, I really don't want to buy something as expensive as a laptop online. I'll be buying mine in a store. :P

Well you'll be having a lot of trouble, unless you can find a Sager in-store. Because I believe they are the most well built notebooks you can find, and you can generally make them as cheap or as expensive as you want.

Edit: Nevermind, looks like you got a decent enough computer.