What is the best anti virus software to get?

What is the best anti virus software to get?
I am getting a new Dell laptop. I am spending about $1,400 on it and want to make sure it last and remains fast. I want to get a good anti virus software for it but don't want it to slow my computer down, but I do want it to fully protect my laptop from viruses and hackers. I am willing to pay money for it so whatever the best anti virus there is is what I want. I will have windows 7 professional on it as well.

 

There is a rather long sticky on the same page you posted about the best AV. Recommend look thru there and then you can make your own decision. Been using MSE since released and very pleased with the results, protection and light footprint on the system

 

I'd say NOD32/Kaspersky if you pay
or MSE/Avast if you go free

 

Lol...
Not to be rude, but can I try to materialize a million £ while I'm at it?
:-D

You have to keep in mind that NONE of the security programs out there (paid or otherwise) will keep you 100% safe.
'Absolute security and/or certainty' is a stupidity in itself (and just a way of fooling yourself).

Now that that's out of the way...
I don't recommend you waste cash on security programs because it's completely unnecessary.
If a hacker wants to get into your system, no software will prevent him/her from doing so.

As for protection... I suggest you use one of the 3 and free antivirus solutions:
Avira, MSE or Avast (use just 1).

Windows Firewall is more than enough in terms of security, and a competent antivirus like one of the ones I mentioned will keep you safe for the most part without slowing your computer (at all).

If for some reason you think that free solutions are inadequate (and I can tell you that's not the case), then go with a latest Norton Internet Security suite.
It's highly optimized and won't slow your computer... the only problem is, you have to shell out cash for it.
But, as I already stated, the free options are on par if not better, so if I was in your shoes, I'd keep my money and use a free solution (which is exactly what I do).

 

Avira bundled with common sense!

 

Lots of recommendations made already, so may I recommend 2 other important steps regarding security and data-integrity; LUA and Imaging.

LUA is simply 'Limited User Account'; the sort of account used for your daily routine.
It's very useful for security because most malware, (if your AV doesn't catch it and not one AV catches everything) can only affect the user-space you're in.
If you would be logged in as admin, the malware can cause much more trouble.

Imaging; As soon as you have setup your OS, installed all necessry programs and updates, make an image of the OS partition (for this, I recommend making an OS+programs partition and one for data as docs, pics, music etc).
In case of a serious/hard to remove malware infection, simply copy the image back to the OS partition and in 10-15 minutes, you'll have a clean system again.
(Most AV scans take longer than restoring an OS partition image).

Check the free software for Windows sticky here on NBR for Imaging software; link

 

Amazon has a very good offer for NIS 2011 running now

Check here

And NIS is really very good these days, right up there among the very best, and in my opinion, worth it absolutely.

Cheers...

 

OP turned out to be a spammer so thread closed.

For those interesting is choosing an antivirus program, do some searching and look at the sickies.