Anti Virus Protection

I have a new laptop which apparently doesn't come with anti-virus software.  I was wondering what is the best download to protect your computer.  Are there any good free ones, or do the pay ones work out the best?  Thanks for the input

AVG is the freebie defacto standard. 

Been using AVG for a long time, it's good. With my free version, I have to Update it manually - which just means that I click an Update button rather than having the software automatically do it which it does if you pay for it.

I have used AVG in the past.  The free one I have been using lately is Avast.  It updates automatically the virus definitions.  If there is a program update it will pop up a message and link to download and update the program itself....Hope this helps....Here is the link..