Your RAM is low. 2 GB is the bare minimum for Win 7 64 bit. I suggest upgrading to 4 GB.
Well you should be having at least 4 GB for 64 bit windows 7. Besides uninstall any trial ware programs which came with your laptop, as they unnecessarily take up system resources, thereby affecting its speed. Use Google Chrome as your browser, its much more efficient, never crashes and is very light on system.
Use RegInOut to keep your laptop's registry files under tabs. Regularly scan and clean up them, it really could be the difference. Use Microsoft Essentials for scanning your laptop and it would be alot better if you use it in Safe Mode.
These tricks should make some tangible difference, if they don't bring your laptop back to its optimum speed.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.