Find The Right Software

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 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 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

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

Intuit QuickBooks Accounting Simple Start Edition 2009

Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista) 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, SVGA monitor, Internet connection 56k, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista), 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, Windows

Nero 9

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions), Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III, 2 GHz Intel Pentium IV 1 GHz, AMD, 9, DVD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 32 MB video memory, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III, 2 GHz Intel Pentium IV, AMD, 1 GHz, Windows, DirectX 9.0c or later, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Norton Internet Security 2009

Norton Internet Security 2009 hits all the right security notes and its superior protection technologies might even win back some jaded anti-Symantec folks, though for some technical support may continue to frustrate

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009

ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 provides top-notch security protection that is light on system resources, allowing you to work unencumbered.

Specs: Complete package, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III, 1 GHz Intel Pentium III

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 isn't perfect, but it's the best dictation software available. We don't find this upgrade necessary for the most basic dictation, although new features may benefit heavily accented English speakers and those who rely heavily on voice commands.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, 1 GHz, 10, DVD-ROM, Speaker(s), Microphone, 16 bit sound card, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Norton 360 2.0

A near-perfect all-in-one solution for brand new PCs, Norton 360 v2 may be hard to install and run on legacy machines. However, don't count on Symantec's time-consuming and expensive technical support for help.

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP, 300 MHz, 2.0, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Microsoft Money Plus Premium 2008

Once again, we don't find this upgrade necessary, although some might come to rely upon the new Insights views of finances, and uber-organized users can link transactions to images of checks and receipts.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 300 MHz, 1 GHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 300 MHz, 1 GHz, Windows

Quicken Premier 2008

Quicken 2008 is a solid finance package and a great choice for novices, but there isn't a compelling reason to upgrade from the 2007 version.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2003, Microsoft Windows Vista, 300 MHz, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 300 MHz, Windows

Quicken Deluxe 2008

Quicken 2008 is a solid finance package and a great choice for novices, but there isn't a compelling reason to upgrade from the 2007 version.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows 2003, Microsoft Windows Vista, 300 MHz, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 300 MHz, Windows

IBM ViaVoice Standard Edition 10 (windows)

ViaVoice is an affordable, if buggy, program for basic speech-to-text dictation. To avoid using your hands, however, we recommend the Windows-only Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 500 MB, Intel Pentium 266 MHz, 192 MB, 10, 4x CD-ROM, Sound card, Intel Pentium, 266 MHz, Windows

Microsoft Works Suite 2006

If you don't mind standard versions of popular programs, Microsoft Works Suite 2006 is a time-saver for basic home-computing tasks such as organizing photos, budgeting, getting travel directions, and word processing.

Specs: 1 user, License and media, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 700 MHz Intel Pentium, 700 MHz, Modem, Speaker(s), 4x CD-ROM, Sound card, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, SVGA graphics card with 4MB of memory, 700 MHz Intel Pentium, 700 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 is an easy-to-learn mapping program with lots of extras for GPS users. But for more points of interest, choose DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2006 instead.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Intel Pentium II, 2006, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Intel Pentium II, Windows

Peachtree Complete Accounting 2006

Peachtree Complete Accounting 2006 is a worthy upgrade for longtime users who want to try online banking.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1

Premiere Elements

This light version of Premiere Pro successfully brings that package's power to home users.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Intel Pentium, 800 MHz, 1.0, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, IEEE 1394 FireWire port, Intel Pentium, 800 MHz, Windows

Norton Personal Firewall 2004

Norton Personal Firewall 2004 does the job, but free ZoneAlarm and the beefier Norton Internet Security 2004 are smarter buys.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 35 MB, 300 MHz, 128 MB, CD-ROM, 300 MHz, Windows