Antivirus - Norton to AVG

My annual Norton update subscription has just run out and I'm thinking it's time to dump this bloated software and go to AVG. I put AVG Free on my laptop last night and my first reaction is very positive.

My first question here is whether or not the free version is adequate for my use. On my Vista laptop I have no critical files and really just use it for evening web surfing. When I do some "real" work on it I always email the file to my office computer when done. The laptop is on a secured wireless network with my wife's office computer which DOES have critical business and personal information. That computer is running with Norton Antivirus on XP Home. So........is the free version adequate for the laptop?

My XP Home office computer is a whole different story. Very critical info and about 2 weeks of work to reinstall everything if I do a new computer. It has been on Norton Systemworks until now. The virus update subscription ran out yesterday so I'm probably ok for a few days anyway while I make this decision. It is hard wire networked for file transfer purposes to a couple other PCs that are occasionally use for technical processes, and are only on for an hour or two every now and then. So, again, free version or buy the full blown program?

The second question has to do with Norton. Even though I'm dumping Norton Systemworks, I would still like to keep Goback (I love that program) and Norton Utilities....even to the point of being willing to buy new stand alone versions of them. It seems though that I can't uninstall Antivirus without taking the entire Systemworks program off the computer (don't ya just love Symantec!)........and it seems that they don't sell any stand alone versions of these anymore anyway (don't ya just love Symantec!)......and it seems you don't buy the Symantec programs at all any more.....you just by a 1 year license to USE them (don't ya just love Symantec!). Sheesh. Do I have this right? Are they really THAT bad?

Anyway, just venting a bit. Input and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
BH