New
#11
When 7 initially starts (first run) the system will perform numerous tasks, updating, indexing all this tends to drag down performance, this will be much more noticeable on lower performance systems.
With such a new machine you can always try the factory restore or just return it, personally I would not touch HP, as they are one of the more unreliable on the market, just look here and good luck with the support. Me I would just start over and let the system update, leave it on overnight at the end of the day the slowest part of the machine is the hard drive and if it is reading, writing continuously to update the system, index the system, update security definitions it`s going to slowdown significantly, that and the CPU is a single core, single thread. this machine is best not being asked to perform multiple tasks all at the same time so just go one by one.
Windows 7 defrag is more than adequate for the average user other programs are only going to conflict with what Microsoft intended, and at best only have marginal impact on performance if any at all on a standalone system, save your $$$ and save on installing programs you just dont need.
McAfee is a very resource hungry security solution for a Notebook, this will also load up the system, Esets NOD32 is a much lighter program, or simply use Microsoft Security Essentials, it`s free and has good ratings.
As has already been posted make sure the machine has some extra capacity in comparison to windows 7`s minimum requirement, I would look as Asus, Toshiba, also Samsung & LG as the smaller venders tend to try harder at quality to increase market share, I have both and am impressed so far by the reliability, build quality, lack of bloatware, inclusion of software that is actually useful, only needing to uninstall the usual MS Office try out and of course McAfee
I do hope that it works out or you can get a replacement in good time