Need Advice regarding Anti-virus software

[tiger_man]

guys,
i just brought a new dell inspiron laptop....the laptop came with a 3 months McAfee subscription. as of the moment nd for the next 3 months, my laptop has its anti virus software installed.

but my worry is after the 3 months when the subscriptions ends....i hear ppl suggest many different anti-virus software but dunno which one is good nd cheap...i thought of renewing mcaffee when it expires but it costs money...

is there a free anti-virus software like McAfee that is free nd is as realiable as McAfee or other well known anti-virus software??

any help will be appreciated...thanks