[Nita]

I have just acquired anAcer SPIRE NET BOOK WITH WINdows 7 starter and with android.My grandson informs me that Android is another operating system .What are the advantages/disadvantages of Android versus windows? I have installed microsoft security essentials but I assume it only works for windows.w hat kind of security programme would one need for Android?

[Rockn]

I don't think you can install security essentials if it is not a Windows OS. I think AVG has one.

[DoubleHelix]

Do you plan to boot into Android? Does it have Android Marketplace? There are a few security apps available there that claim to protect against malware in malicious apps. You definitely can't install any Windows programs including Security Essentials. The best thing to do is be very careful about what you install from Marketplace.

[Hughv]

I use Lookout, free version.
https://www.mylookout.com/

[Nita]

Thanks I will get lookout as you suggest but what are the advantages/disadvantages of android as compared with windows 7 starter

[Hughv]

What model do you have? You may not be able to get Lookout.
"Android is a smartphone operating system developed by Google that is meant to make communications and Web browsing easy, especially on Google sites such as YouTube and Google Maps. The majority of netbooks today use Microsoft's Windows XP."

[DoubleHelix]

Hughv, the poster has Android on a netbook, not a phone.

Android and Windows 7 are completely different with entirely different purposes. Android was installed as a quick-boot OS so you can quickly check your e-mail or a web site without having to wait to boot into Windows.

You won't be using Android all the time.

[Hughv]

I know that:"The majority of netbooks today use Microsoft's Windows XP"
Some models of this Netbook have crippled the updating capability.

[DoubleHelix]

And some netbooks have both Windows XP and Android installed. That's what the poster has.

[Hughv]

I know that. I looked this netbok up so I would know what I'm talking about.
This poster has Win7 and Andoid installed as you could see had you read the first post.
I'm answering the questions posed by the OP, but I'm not sure what you're doing.,

[Nita]

so the gist of what you are saying is that when travelling for example, use android for email and websurfing for speed but otherwise go back to windows.Have I got that right?

[Hughv]

Not necessarily.
How does the Android OS connect to the 'net? Is it 3G, and do you need to subscribe ?
Tell us the model number and we might be able to figure out what this (new) beast can do.

[DoubleHelix]

It's just an optional environment to provide quick-boot access to e-mail/web. You can use it or not whenever you'd like.

I just installed the Android 2.2 build on a VM, and the Android Market is not available, and Lookout couldn't be installed. If you're only going to use Android minimally for e-mail/web, I wouldn't worry about finding a security app. They primarily protect against the installation of malicious apps. The environment appears to be designed to prevent that from the start.