Twice?

Just cos it says it won't doesn't mean it won't ...It will still tax the computer a bit more.
Depends on the spec of the computer how much

I've been using this for years >FRAPS<.

Well, the deed is done. MrsC went to PCWorld in Cirencester. She looked around for a bit, then decided to call me. I was on a Skype call with my parents and didn't hear my mobile. 30 minutes later she called back after having found exactly nobody in the store to help her. I passed on the knowledge from the FCCUK brains trust and then a youth appeared in a PCWorld costume, so off she went.
About an hour later, a seething MrsC called again to say that she had managed to buy a laptop, but only after a lengthy and frustrating battle with the "assistant" who ignored everything she said, spoke in techno-bollocks and tried to sell her extended warranties rather than the computer she wanted...
Anyway, I don't have the full spec, but she bought an HP laptop with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a separate Radeon graphics card and a 1TB hard drive. It was reduced from £700+ to £499, so seems to fit the bill.
Thanks to everyone for their help... Except PCWorld.

CEDIT: this one out at under £500 but comes without an OS, so you would need to factor in getting a Windows license key:

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/SkyFireIII-14/bOk_7m4GRs/

Some discussion here:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/skyfire-...page=2#comments

EDIT: Sorry, didn't read your last post. Hope he's happy with the one he has.

FRAPS is great, Lego, but PlayClaw is infinitely better.

Sounds like a good deal Jim - HP laptops are hard to beat, so much better than the other consumer grade crap that Asus (Acer...) and Dell pump out.

Thanks for your suggestions, Aleem!

I'll introduce my stepson to FRAPS/PlayClaw. He bought a Hauppage recorder a while ago, (without consulting me!) to record his XBox play, but it's useless without a laptop (which he didn't have). If his new toy will do the same thing without additional hardware, all the better.
Although as the Hauppage was negotiated instead of a parrot (the real, feathered variety - long story), I think I'd prefer the recorder.

Right - the next thing is how to set the blasted thing up...

For better or (more likely) worse, it runs W8, which I won't be allowed to change until or unless my stepson realises he hates it.

What I want to do is A) set up an administrator profile with full access so that if necessary I can get into it and change stuff that shouldn't be there...
And B) to install a decent antivirus programme that will prevent too much nonsense being installed (at 12 he isn't very discerning at what is a dodgy website or link).

I'd be grateful for any tips you can offer...

B) Windows 8 comes with this which is the updated (free) version of what I use on my Windows 7 systems.

A) Watch this, I don't use that POS Windows 8 much myself but this seems to answer your question.

FWIW I didn't pick the YouTube account source to be cheeky, it's just that the video looks like exactly what you you're after.

B) Avast , I've been using it for a couple of years. There is a free version too.

I've running the free version of Avast on my desktop and 2 Laptops for a couple of years. It works perfectly and appears to keep the machines virus free.

And another plus for Avast is it's a lot less CPU hungry than the free version of AVG.

Avast duly installed!

Now swear and realise you accidentally added all the extra browser bars... Avast is very good at telling you it's time to upgrade/update to the FIFTY POUNDS CLICK HERE version while hiding the tiny free button ARE YOU SURE YOU WOULDN'T RATHER PAY FIFTY POUNDS. And it likes to add browser bars.

Did I mention it likes to add browser bars? And install Chrome?

(That said, it's still one of the best AV products, if you use an OS that needs one...)

Never had any problems with the above.

Nor me.

Well, as luck would have it, I recently fell heavily out of love with Firefox and began using Chrome, so I took it up on its kind offer (for once) to replace IE.

I'd like to add my voice to those complaining about the W8.1 interface. It is pure bobbins.

The laptop model is an HP Pavilion TS15, which means it has a touchscreen. It's actually a really rather lovely bit of kit. Apart from the BS OS and the HP bloatware.

It's a faff I know, but doing a fresh Windows install makes any PC run better than whne you firts bought it.

For my stepson's gaming laptop, when I have no access to the discs? A faff too far for me, I'm afraid!

*ahem*

Well, indeed!