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Hopefully while computing you may never need to use a computer utility. In an ideal world, you would never need one. But when an accident happens, there is nothing like a computer utility to save the day.
Like many users, I took Norton Utilities hegemony in system utility suites for granted. After all, they have been an established leader in that department for many years. They have always earned high kudos from the professionals in the field. With an amazing anti-virus program as a draw, Norton has always been a hands down favorite. However, they are not the only game in town.
If price, value and feature sets are important to you, and you need something fast, quick and full featured, you may want to consider Vcom's On-Track System Suite 4.0. What differentiates System Suite 4 from some of the others available is that this offers what most do not. Instead of just making available a few disk utilities, like a clean up application and such, this one features a full firewall and anti-virus program. In comparison to Norton, their all in one features the standard utilities and an anti-virus program, but no firewall. They have also eliminated some features when their program is run on XP systems.
When first opening System Suite 4, one is greeted with a basic all in one interface that offers instant access to all of the features available. In some ways the interface of System Suite recalls McAfee's approach. A designer at Daimler-Chrysler once said that the ideal car would be one with just a black oval screen that only displayed what you needed to see. Extemporaneous data would not be on constant display. This idea of a simple interface makes a great deal of sense. It also makes the process of accessing the feature sets for System Suite much easer. Instead of going through a succession of screens and menus, you are given a basic category screen and icons that are directly connected to the task, or tasks at hand.
The biggest selling point for System Suite is that it includes so much. To give you just a rough idea of what you get, here is just a partial list of what it includes:
While this list is just a basic list, believe it or not, there is more. This utility suite goes much further regarding options than others I have seen. Taking a "more really is more" approach," this suite removes the need for a separate firewall, anti-virus program and zip file management and creation. Dollar for dollar, this one includes just about everything anyone could want or need regarding PC maintenance.
For users of Windows XP, 2000 and all of the various flavors these newer OS's are available in, there may be a less pressing need for some of these features. For windows 95B, 98 and ME users, this may be everything you need. While Windows XP has some comprehensive utilities built in, for those using earlier versions of Windows, there may be more of a necessity to use certain features. With that in mind, there is a great deal here to consider when regarding utilities.
Much like PC Doctor for Windows XP, there is a full featured hardware testing utility built in as well. This is combined with a full complement of registry fixes and hard drive support. As with any suite, Norton included, I do suggest great caution when working with any registry editor. If you are not completely familiar with a registry setting, one edit can turn your new PC into toast. It does not take that much. While the automatic settings are good, do be careful when moving beyond the basics. There has yet to be a comprehensive full featured Registry Editor that removes the debris without removing something essential automatically. The complexity of PC's precludes this. In order to do hardcore editing, you do need to be fully aware of what you are doing, and make sure you back up your registry. System Suite does make this clear when you begin using their registry checker. I tend to err on the cautionary side. So just be aware.
As far as stability and overall performance go, System Suite does not make a huge dent on your resources. This is one utility that is resource friendly, and overall very easy to use. There will be little here to stump anyone. Even newbies to the world of utilities will find this program has a shallow learning curve.
As admirable as this application is, even with full updating, I do feel that you may want to pair System Suite 4 with a dedicated anti-virus program and firewall. While this one is solid, I just tend to prefer McAfee or Norton when it comes to anti-virus software. With regards to firewalls, I lean towards Zone Alarm and McAfee. I just feel that these applications are true standouts. But everyone's opinions vary. Much depends on what you prefer and what you feel works best. With all of this in mind, System Suite 4 offers some of the most compelling reasons to reconsider a utility suite. If you don't have one running, I do strongly feel that System Suite 4 is a worthy complement to any PC.
In a world that is becoming increasingly value conscious and price point aware, the day of a utility suite just offering a few programs may be officially over. System Suite 4 offers some of the most compelling, easy to use, useful applications one will find in one package. Stable, solid and well made, this is literally the "swiss army knife" of utilty suites. When you factor in what this program can do, and its reasonable price points, this program can very well satisfy most end user needs.
For me, I still have a preference for the firewall in ZoneAlarm and McAfee as more robust. I also prefer the anti-virus in the Mcafee and Norton product lines. On the other hand, I do think that System Suite 4 has a decided advantage over the venerable Norton SystemWorks. This is particularly true when you consider the broad sweep of abilities this program has. There is literally something here for everyone in System Suite. When paired with a full bodied firewall and anti-virus program, you have a very complete computing package.
If price points are an issue, and you just want to get up and running, SystemWorks should be your first option. Even if you have already several anti-virus programs and firewalls at your disposal, there are many solid reasons to add this very well considered application to your arsenal of preventive system utlities.
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