For years and years I have always stood behind AVG, as the best possible anti-virus solution ever! In the beginning it was two fold, both the fact that it was free and that it was also the best. Over the past few releases I have noticed many new features, most of which are good, but in general slow the software down a lot.

One of its biggest advantages when it came out was that it didn’t bog your system down like Norton and Mcafee did at the time. Simply switching out a customers anti-virus program made it seem like a whole new PC. Not so much anymore. I’ve been running the latest version of AVG on a stacked Windows 7 laptop and I have to say, aside from the annoying toolbar they want to install, and most of the good stuff going to paid it just doesn’t make the grade anymore.

What was great before is you almost never knew it was even on your system, now even with 8GB of Ram and a 64bit processor I can always tell when the scans are running. (boo)

I am not saying it doesn’t scan well anymore, its fine for that, but it just ain’t so hot anymore. I fear I will be switching someday soon, I am just not sure yet.

Potential new suitors for my love, Avira and Avast.

Not that were against them making money but In our opinion they may have gone overboard on the features in an attempt to build enough value for all us cheapskates to finally buy it. Me, Id rather they sell advertising space on their dashboard.

It’s hard to image leaving after so many great years who will get our children?

What do you think? What do you use?