> a netbook can be used on a table top or on one's lap whereas an iPad you can't
You most certainly can!
> Have Norton Anti-Virus
Ah. Well, unless it's a fairly recent version (as in the last year or so), that's almost certainly why it's running so slowly.
I'd advise you to (try to!) get rid of that - you'll need to get the Norton Removal Tool, though:
http://www.google.co....q=Norton+Removal+tool
Then, download and install Microsoft Security Essentials:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971606
> but my friend put in some sort of Spyware
Unless that's malwarebytes, get rid of that too and run malwarebytes once a week:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/