I recently purchased a laptop for Christmas for my grandson. He is 13. He has not had his own laptop so I thought this would be a nice surprise for him. What I need from the Forum is ----->do I need anything like software to help him navigate the system?

The laptop is a HP. Window 8 is the windows. Do I need a security system? Which one is the best? Or worst. Do I need a Microsoft zizmo? I purchased a Microsoft Office and Student 2010. Is this too old?

He is probably more tech savvy than I am given him credit for but I want to be sure. What about antivirus system. He will use his family internet system or Wifi. Or does he need an adapter.

BTW, the LP, is still in the box and I just waiting for the right moment. I wanted the right software to help him. Thanks for the input.

Take it out of the box-

Get a blank DVD. This lappy has the ability to create its own restore disk. Make the disk and breath a sigh of relief!
Next boot it up. Go into the add/remove programs section. Remove any junk you do not like or need.
Next - Go to www.download.com AVG2013 is right on the main page. D/L it. Do a custom install. That allows you to deselect their tool bar / home page and other garbage. Complete the process with the AVG update button. Office 2010 is plenty new enough. There are updates "Free" to keep it so. If it is a trial version - Get Open Office @ Download. It is also free...

Apparently technology has left me in the back room sorting thru the "advance to go' signs. I am not computer savvy or literate. I am wringing my hands. I can't get off the "Welcome to Window 8 * page" (start)

I am just trying to find out how to do what I need to do before connecting to the internet. Because I think that will be a challenge all by itself.

Maybe I can put it back into the box and close it and let my grandson.............
There should be a how to video tape that I could put in the vcr and go along with the instructions.

Did I say I was old school


Do I need to leave it on all night to charge the battery or can I just shut it down?

This message is coming to you thru a desktop (13 yr), who will probably get jealous, if it knew in my living room, I was trying to set-up a new PC, a Laptop. (Shes slow but she works.) My tech savvy son left for Spain, yesterday.

you can shut it down through start, let the battery run out, or hold the power button until it turns off... doesnt make a difference

plenty of howto videos on youtube.com and ehow.com

I will bet your 13 year old grandson probably knows more about computers than I do. Just give him the computer -- he should be able to figure it out. If not, find someone with a 16 year old -- they'll sort it out for you.

I am jealous of your grandson. I want a laptop with Windows 8. (saw how that works on a shop).

I use semantic for an antivirus.

And you should also think about getting a security system that can track it if he turns his back on it in public and it gets legs. There are systems that if the computer dissappears and someone then logs into the internet it will find it like a GPS tracker.
In the event it is stolen, you would call the company and report it lost and then it will be found as soon as someone uses it.

Please be patient with me I am learning something new things with the laptop everyday. And I have yet to connect to the internet.

I said I was old school.

I click on a tile on the Window 8 page and next thing I knew a picture of me show up. Now I can't get the picture off. I started out with a empty waste basket and next time I know, there is trash in the basket an I don't know how or what was deleted.

You click on anything (Apps) on this window screen, I think it is filled with "APPS". and it does not tell you have to close. So on the left side of the screen you have a mini picture of the "things " you have open. On the right side of the screen you have "CHARMS". I have used a laptop before but only for work. I never ventured past "doing what I had to do". This is a challenged. A real challenge. Everyday I am learning something new. It is so new that once it is closed, I can't remember how to get into it again. I did managed to click on the Norton app and START my 60 free days. (I'll get the subscription, by the time my grandson gets it.) That what I get for being nosey. But thats ok. At least the Microsft office app gave me a choice. I'll can wait before starting the trial session on that.

I did click on a Microsoft solatire tile and then all these card games appeared. I thought I liked FREECELL before. Now I don't know b/c now its timing game. Most of these games seems like a timing game. (Now I actually see how long it takes to play one game or many.)

I am a learning. My grandson may have to settle for a Kindle Fire HD.

KATTYK----->I haven't got that far yet. There is still one week before gift giviing.

ITSASECRET----->you're right. I think my 9 year old "Einstein" has all the answers too. I trying to learn, I want to invest in one. My picture keep showing up I might have to keep this one. and give him one in the box. I thought I was doing him a favor. But...........

COOLDUDE581------>I have been checking out some of those videos on youtube and ehow to. Step by step.

MRCOMPUTER101------>I opened that box. Can I add/remove programs now or do I have to wait for the internet?