Find The Right Software

Quicken Deluxe 2010

Quicken 2010 is a solid finance package, especially for novices, but offers little that's substantively new.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 400 MHz, 1 GHz, 2x CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 400 MHz, 1 GHz, Windows

Zone Alarm Extreme Security 2010

ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 isn't necessarily the best suite around, but it's definitely effective and should appeal to those who like making granular adjustments to their protection.

Specs: Complete package, 2 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate), 1 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Professional), 2 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate), 1 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Professional)

Norton AntiVirus 2010 (1 User, 1 PC)

Norton AntiVirus 2010 builds on the immense progress made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz or higher, CD-ROM, DVD drive, 300 MHz or higher

Apple iTunes 9

iTunes 9 is a natural, yet relatively minor, evolution of Apple's popular media management software and is a required download for new iPod owners.

Norton Internet Security 2010 (1 User, 3 PCs)

Norton Internet Security 2010 builds on the immense progress it made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 300 MHz or higher, CD-ROM, DVD drive, 300 MHz or higher

Corel Digital Studio 2010

A majority of home users will appreciate Corel Digital Studio's feature set, its interactive projects, and wide support for photo and video formats.

Specs: Complete package, Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon, Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon

Trend Micro Internet Security 2010

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but its questionable efficacy and middling performance make it a program we're not recommending.

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bits)

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but questionable efficacy and middling performance mean it's a program we're not recommending for this year.

Specs: Complete package, Intel Pentium, 3.0, Intel Pentium

Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010

Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass.

Specs: Complete package, Intel Pentium, Intel Pentium

Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Intel Mac users will like Snow Leopard's smartly designed interface enhancements, and its Exchange support is a must-have (especially with Outlook for Mac on the way). With a ton of technological improvements, Snow Leopard is worth the $29 upgrade fee.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 5 GB, Intel, 1 GB, 10.6, DVD-ROM, Intel

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 (1-Year License)

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is a full-featured security suite, and the 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests. However, be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, 10

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 (CD-ROM, 1-Year License)

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 offers pricey antivirus protection. The 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests, but be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting.

Specs: 3 users, Complete package, 10

Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium)

Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 16 GB, 1 GHz 1 GHz, 1 GB, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 1 GHz, 1 GHz

Microsoft Windows 7 (Ultimate)

Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 16 GB, 1 GHz 1 GHz, 1 GB, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 1 GHz, 1 GHz

Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional)

Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 16 GB, 1 GHz 1 GHz, 1 GB, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 1 GHz, 1 GHz

Corel Home Office

Despite some compatibility setbacks, Corel Home Office suite is useful for creating documents. Its conscientious size, small-screen optimizations, and attractive price make it a good buy for a Netbook office suite, or for saving space by shedding advanced features.

Specs: 1 user, 1 GHz, USB drive, Mouse or tablet, 1 GHz

Trimble Outdoors (Verizon Wireless)

Trimble Outdoors offers a number of navigation and tracking tools for Verizon phones, but the trouble with Trimble is the inconsistent performance and accuracy.

H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal + State + E-file 2008 (1 User, Box Set, Download)

TaxCut 2008 is missing TurboTax's advanced importing engines and sophisticated tax tools, and it takes longer than TurboTax to fill out. However, its free session of live tax advice and free live audit support will win over taxpayers who value personalized customer service.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, MacOS, Windows, Safari 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

TurboTax Deluxe 2008 (Federal + State)

TurboTax 2008 is the most expensive tax app on the market, but it's also fast, complete, and straightforward. If finishing quickly is your goal, the extra cost is worth it. If you anticipate wanting live help support, look into TaxCut.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, MacOS, Windows

iLife '09

Apple iLife '09 is a great application suite for simple media organizing and editing, and the addition of features like face recognition, geotagging, and music lessons makes it worth the update.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, Intel PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 (867MHz or faster) 867 MHz, Intel Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster), DVD-ROM, Intel PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 (867MHz or faster), Intel Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster), 867 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later