This happens a lot. A family member or friend buys a new PC and says “Gee can you install all the software for me and set it up?” My dad finally bought a new PC, only his second since 2003, and the task fell on me to get it ready for everyday use.

And sure, we admit it, our inner nerd squeals with delight whenever we get our hands on a fresh computer, out of the box.

Depending on who the computer is for, you may have some business software and games to install, but if you’re the technologically-adept one in your family, make sure you don’t overlook these five programs that will make everyone’s life easier now and in the long run:

5. The PC Decrapifier

The PC Decrapifier is a magazine and tech-site favorite, and it is well-regarded as an essential tool for new computers.

What is boils down to is this: sometimes it’s not only about what you put into a computer, but what you take out of it that makes a difference.

When you buy a new computer, it’s loaded with software. Loaded. We call this “bloatware.” It’s fat. You don’t need all of it.

You want to remove trial software, search engine toolbars, Dell/Sony/etc. support software and anything else that you don’t need — and don’t need running in the background — on a new PC.

You can run ‘msconfig’ and then open up the Control Panel’s software add/remove tool to get this same task done, but the Decrapifier has online resources that will tell you which software should go and which software can stay. So it’s helpful.

4. Dropbox

With all this talk about cloud computing and online data storage, even your mom or dad should be able to take advantage. Enter Dropbox, an easy-to-use service that gives you 2GB of online storage for free or up to 100GB for $19.99 per month.

Dropbox is useful. You can store software installations, photos, videos, documents, website files and anything else you need to access later.

3. iTunes and/or VLC

iTunes has come a long way on the PC since I ranted about it in 2009.

And the fact is, your parents and aunts and uncles are using iPads and iPhones, so they need iTunes. Go ahead and install it for them, but then make sure you set up their iTunes account also. Old people get confused.

Beyond iTunes, there’s a bit of Gen-Y software magic that even dear-old-dad can enjoy. VideoLAN’s VLC Media Player is the best, open source, cross-platform media player that can play nearly every disc, video file and audio file available, including DVDs, DivX movies and MP3s, and it has no advertising or spyware

It’s software that we use, so they should use it too.

2. Chrome or Firebox

I still install Firefox on family computers. It’s faster, better and more secure than Internet Explorer. A growing number of people are plugging into the Google matrix, however, so Chrome may be the way to go.

Either way, you need to install a second browser and set it as the default.

Just make sure you tell your loved one to allow the updates to install when prompted. Keep that most recent version running.

1. Microsoft Security Essentials

Go back to the Decrapifier for a second. Now remove whatever trial version of Norton or McAfee came with the computer. Get rid of it. Your relative is never going to pay to renew it after it expires, and the constant prompts reminding then to upgrade will result in “I think I have a virus” phone calls that you don’t need.

So just uninstall the stupid trial editions.

Install Microsoft Security Essentials. It is the best piece of software that Microsoft never charged for. As long as you have a genuine version of Windows (and all new, out-of-the-box commercial PCs do) you can download and install Microsoft’s always up-to-date antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-malware security suite.

It integrates with the Windows Firewall (make sure that’s turned on, especially once you remove the Norton/McAfee software) and gives you real-time protection just like the expensive boxed products.

If you have some moral problem with Microsoft securing your computer, you could try avast! and the free version of its antivirus software. It’s a very good solution that keeps your computer secure.

Honorable mentions

You may also want to consider EASEUS Partition Master, if you’re really doing some hardcore configuring. If the PC has one big 2TB drive, it may be a good idea to break it up into a system drive and some workspaces.

Recuva is a good choice for file recovery. It helps you recover accidentally-deleted files. We’ve all been there. Another phone call-saving measure.

This piece started as a “10 Laptops to buy” type-piece, but laptops are dynamic in the sense that you could want an entertainment laptop, a multi-function laptop, a highly portable laptop, a business laptop, etc. and it is hard to decide what is better across categories for different needs. Therefore, we compiled a list of 10 things you should look after you figure out what type of laptop you want.

1. Hard Drive

The size for your hard drive really depends on what you are storing (that’s what she said!). If you have tons of digital media at your disposal, then perhaps a 500GB-1TB hard drive is what you should seek. On the other hand, if all you have is program files, music, and documents, then maybe something smaller will suffice like a 125GB hard drive. But of equal importance is the type of hard drive. Solid State Discs are starting to come down in price even though they are still relatively expensive, but they last longer, have no moveable parts, stay cool, and have fast transfer rates. Another example, such as a SATA II Hard Drive, would allow for around 3GB/sec transfer speeds and a SATA III Hard Drive would get more than double the SATA II. So, pending on your needs there are options that you should explore instead of just blindly selecting.

2. Memory

For memory, I look for laptops that have extra expansion slots in the event I wish to increase my laptop’s memory. As my base, however, I wouldn’t purchase a laptop with any less than 2GB of memory. Today you will see laptops with 3GB, 4GB, 6GB, or even 8GB of memory either provided already or available to upgrade at your leisure. Luckily, most stock laptops today come with a chunk of memory from the get-go and you will also likely have the ability to upgrade. But if you see a computer with only 1GB of memory or less, prepare yourself for a more frustrating experience in comparison to a computer that has more memory.

3. Weight

For me, anything over 6 pounds is too much weight for a laptop. There is no reason that you should be lugging around a hunk of metal and plastic when the sole purpose of the laptop is mobility and portability. Most of the laptops that have a 15 inch screen or less will be under my 6 pound benchmark, but if you are in the market for a big screened media laptop, then it will likely go above 6 pounds. Just think about the bag you use to carry your laptop and if your travels will have you wishing that you were transporting less weight.

4. Battery Life

This part is essential. With a decent battery life, you can take your laptop wherever you go and you won’t have to worry about charging. Laptops with below 4-5 hours of battery life seem useless to me since the actual battery “decays” over time, that is that it loses its ceiling battery life the more it is charged and drained over and over again. Initially having 4 hours of battery life will eventually become 3 and a half and then down to 3 hours before you realize it. However, there are ways you can get crafty to put less strain on your battery (for example, getting a solid state hard drive or keeping the brightness of your screen down, etc.).

5. Warranty

Although seemingly unimportant, the warranty of your laptop may be the most vital aspect of your laptop purchase. For example, if you are acquiring a refurbished computer, you are likely going to see a 30-90 day warranty. If you think about it, the computer was refurbished because there was something wrong with it (it could have been something benign or extremely malignant), and getting a one month to three month warranty does not secure your laptop for long. If you are purchasing a new laptop, most warranties are around 1 year and they may even cover accidental damage (water spills or even dropping the laptop). For business laptops, you may see a warranty of up to 3 years. So when looking at laptops, be sure to find out what the warranty is and what it covers. The longer the warranty and the more coverage it provides the better.

6. Processor (CPU)

We live in a world where computers are offering multiple cored processors that go into the dozens. Nowadays, I wouldn’t purchase a laptop that isn’t at least dual cored, but understand that the clocking speed is of true importance. If the laptop you are looking for is dual-cored, but doesn’t have a good enough clocking speed, then the “dual-coreness” will be practically useless. Understand that just because the laptop is dual-cored, does not mean that it is twice as fast. Most dual-cored laptops are only about 50% faster than their single cored counterpart. Either way, I would specifically look for a clocking speed of no less than 1.6 GHz which will be common among most laptops today.

7. Ports

Ports are extremely necessary with the amount of gadgets that are computer connected capable and the more ports the better (cough, cough, Macbook Air). To start, multiple USB ports are a must and if you can get your hands on at least one USB 3.0 port and the rest USB 2.0, then you will be in good shape. Other ports that you should look for include HDMI and VGA. With a VGA cable you can hookup your laptop with a computer monitor, especially if your laptop screen is small, for your viewing pleasure. With an HDMI port, you can hook-up with your HDTV and watch HD movies/videos with great clarity. Also, look for SD/MicroSD ports as it will likely make uploading your digital camera photos or anything else easier when stored on an SD card.

8. Webcam/Touchpad/Keyboard

I see some laptops out there that have only a 0.3 megapixel camera and I think that with skype/gchat/whatever video conferencing program you fancy, you should at least have a semi-decent camera so that your friend or even business associate isn’t seeing you all pixelated when in a video chat. So if you want a laptop with a camera, make sure it has at least a 1 megapixel camera. Otherwise, just purchase a USB attached camera. Other things to consider are the touch-mouse pad and the keyboard. Presently, more and more touchpads are being made multi-touch, meaning that you can use more than one finger to give commands like zoom in/out, scrolling, etc. With the keyboard, personally, I like the chicklet keyboards that have the raised, individuals keys, but if you prefer something that boasts ergonomics then go with that.

9. Optical drive

Sometimes, it may not even be necessary to have an internal CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive. But if you plan on using CD’s, DVD’s, or even Blu-ray Discs to use or burn you should look into the drives that are offered with your laptop. It is possible to get an external drive where it is attached via USB and functions just like it would if it were inside the laptop. Understand though that if you do not need one of these drives, it may be best to just leave them out and keep the laptop’s weight down because online storage and USB storage has trumped the world of CD/DVD storage.

10. Brand

Lastly, the brand should carry some weight. Up and coming brands will have a tendency to be cheaper and provide more with their computers than the leading brands simply because they have something to prove against the market and those other larger companies. Style is also inherent with the brand that you choose, so if you are looking for a particular style, certain brands may carry that setup while others might not. Brands also carry with them similar warranties and as a result, special attention should be made when choosing a particular brand.

Back in March, Dell told us about its new highly stylized Adamo brand. Today we got some photos of the upcoming Adamo XPS super-thin laptop.

Measuring just 9.99mm thick and curiously shapen when its open, the Adamo is intriguing. No word on specs, pricing, etc. Stay tuned on this one.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is great if you get the optional 6-cell battery

Here’s an old reviewers’ question for you. Is it fair to judge a product by its default configuration?

I recently called the Dell Inspiron Mini 10′s 3-cell 24WHr battery a deal breaker, and it’s absolutely true. Dell’s netbook gets just over three hours of battery life, which is poor by both small laptop and netbook standards.

But when you’re buying the Mini 10, you can upgrade to a 6-cell battery with more than six hours of life for just $30.

A lot of people, I’d imagine, just buy the default configuration, not wanting to deal with the specs, like the difference between the hard drive and optional SSD drive.

Even with its 10″ x 7″ x 1″ dimensions, weighing only 2.63 pounds in my test, I’d never recommend someone buy the Mini in its default form.

It’s principle. The Mini 10 is an otherwise stellar computer. It’s fast, light, comes in a variety of colors, has an on-board TV tuner with HD antenna and cable adapter, comes with an HDMI port, SD/MS/MMC card reader, 3 USB ports, ethernet and built-in a/g/n WiFi. Even the display puts it over the top. The Mini 10 standard (as opposed to the V edition) comes with a 720p HD display. The keyboard is small, like on all netbooks, but it’s more comfortable than the Asus Eee PC that won the day in my Globe story.

At $349, the Inspiron 10 is a good value with this anchor called a 3-cell battery holding it down.

Dell should drop the 3-cell battery, make the 6-cell the default and only battery option, and charge $379 for the product. That would still make it cheaper than most of the Asus, HP and Lenovo competitors, and other reviews back up the fact that the Dell is right behind these laptops.

Dell’s idea with the Mini appears to have been to give users more regular “computer” features. The HDMI port is a great touch, and even the digital TV was appreciated. It’s pre-configured, and the software actually works. the Dell TV software fires up, scans the signal for channels, and works quickly and easily — and that’s from Dell. Years ago, if you bought a Dell, you could easily spend an hour or two deleting all their bloated support and utility software.

So let’s do this:

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with a 3-cell battery.

Dell Inspiron Mini 10 with a 6-cell battery.

If Dell throws in the 6-cell battery and throws out the 3-cell without jacking the price too much, then I believe it’s a winner. Good screen, good keyboard, Atom processor, television, HD video — all great features, but something has to power it all.

When someone asks you to name computer manufacturers, the obvious names pop into your mind: Dell, Gateway, Apple and so on. But within the last couple years, something curious has happened. Computer manufacturers who previously were nameless and fameless are suddenly front and center.

Take Acer for example. The last year has seen an explosion in the popularity of netbook computers, and Acer’s Apsire One line of $270 netbooks are all the rage. Previously, no one has heard of MSI, but now everyone and their mother is hacking their $300 Wind to run OS X. Same with Asus and their EEE PC line.

Some companies ready to break onto the scene are more familiar for their other products. At the Nokia World conference in Germany last week, Nokia announced their Booklet 3G, a sleek, 2 cm thin aluminum netbook, signifying that the company who previously made their mark on the electronics world by manufacturing phones is now trying to expand themselves back onto the PC market after selling that division more than fifteen years ago.

The Booklet 3G is powered by the same Intel Atom processor in the MSI Wind and Acer One lines, but whereas those netbooks are only wi-fi capable, the Booklet 3G will come built in with a 3G/HSPA antenna, giving the netbook data network access wherever cell reception is available, along with the assisted GPS found in mobile phones. The netbook will also have a 10.1-inch HD-ready screen and HDMI port, something typically reserved for higher-end laptops and desktop, and certainly not something offered on current netbooks.

Nokia is truly in a unique position too introduce a computer as ground breaking as the Booklet 3G is. Of course, a netbook this exciting is also rather wallet-breaking as well. While only European pricing has been announced so far, the Booklet 3G will sell for 575 euros, which comes to about 820 dollars. However, netbooks often come subsidized if they have a data antenna. No subsidies have been announced yet, but they would have to be hefty to be anywhere near the sub-$300 prices on other netbooks.

It’s also yet to seen whether or not the subsidized notebook market will even prove to be profitable. Many carriers in the US are offering netbooks for as low as $50 with a 2-year data contract. Considering how much iPhone users complain about being locked into their contracts though, the carriers will probably face some stiff resistance.

Curiously and notably absent form the netbook market though is Apple. Apple even poked fun at the concept of a netbook yesterday at their keynote, showing an image of someone failing to shove a Dell Mini into his back pocket. Apple continues to claim that people don’t want an underpowered netbook; they want fast and they want powerful. Of course this is belied by the fact Apple continues to offer their white plastic MacBook for sale, and that their “mobile computing platform” of the iPhone and iPod touch has half the processing power of current netbooks.

More over, an article Wired ran last month argued that we’re in the middle of the “good enough” revolution, stating that “the low end has never been riding higher.” An interesting point to consider.

In any case, netbooks are here to stay. It’ll be interesting to seem some the innovations that trickle down towards the end user from higher end computers. An always on data connection, A-GPS, and HDMI connectivity are a great start. What’s next?

The federal government is suing Hitachi Displays Ltd., accusing the Japanese electronics giant of fixing prices of thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD display panels that were sold to Dell from 2001 to 2004.

Documentation shows that the Department of Justice is accusing Hitachi of trust-like activities and violating the Sherman Act.

The lawsuit alleges that Hitachi held meetings to discuss the prices of the TFT-LCD panels being sold to Dell.

No other information was released, and Dell has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Dell, the personal computer giant was slapped in mid-May with a lawsuit from the state of New York for “engaging in bait and switch financing tactics and failing to provide their customers with adequate customer service.”

The lawsuit, filed by New York State Attorney General, Andrew M. Cuomo, accuses Dell and its money arm, Dell Financial Services, of “luring consumers to purchase its products with advertisements that offered attractive ‘no interest’ and/or ‘no payment’ financing promotions,” according to a statement from Cuomo’s office.

In reality, even customers with good credit were paying interest rates as high as 20% without ever being told that they had not qualified for the promotional rates, Cuomo said.

In the petition, Dell’s rebate practices are also brought into question. “Further, although Dell induces consumers to purchase equipment by offering rebates, many consumers who timely submit their rebate paperwork do not receive their promised rebate and get a ‘runaround’ when they subsequently contact Dell to inquire about it.”

The lawsuit also alleges that Dell Financial Services billed customers incorrectly on returns, as well as canceled orders.

“Although many consumers repeatedly contacted Dell and/or DFS to advise them of the errors, DFS did not suspend its collection activity and Dell failed to expeditiously credit consumers’ accounts, even after assuring consumers it would do so … as a result, many consumers have been subjected to harassing collection calls for months on end and have had their credit ratings harmed.”

Financial shenanigans not withstanding, Dell’s customer service and support has rightfully also come under attack. “At Dell, customer service means no service at all. Dell’s consumers were intentionally misled, and they had to pay for that privilege.” Cuomo said.

Customers often faced “a nightmarish array of obstacles in their quest for service.” Allegations include:

• Repeatedly failing to provide timely onsite repair to consumers who purchased service contracts promising “onsite” and expedited service
• Pressuring consumers, including those who purchased service contracts promising “onsite” repair, to remove the external cover of their computer and remove, reinstall, and manipulate hardware components
• Discouraging consumers from seeking technical support. Those who called Dell’s toll-free number were subjected to long wait times, repeated transfers and frequent disconnections.
• Using defective “refurbished” components to repair or replace consumer equipment.

The lawsuit aims to make Dell and Dell Financial Services pay restitution to consumers who have been affected by these service shortcomings on the part of Dell. The suit also seeks to make certain that Dell and DFS do not “engage in deceptive, illegal, and fraudulent practices in the future.”

Dell is the No. 2 computer distributor in the US. If true, the New York allegations are a startling turnaround for a company that once prided itself on customer support and satisfaction.