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ESET NOD32 3.0 Antivirus System (Windows)
Eset NOD32 3.0 finally gets its interface right and, along with high-rated performance among independent testing labs, deserves consideration on your desktop.
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Corel WordPerfect X4
The Corel WordPerfect Office X4 suite best fits those who prefer traditional interfaces for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. We found the features rich, but the execution sometimes clumsy.
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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.
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H&R Block TaxCut Home & Business + Federal + State 2007
H&R Block TaxCut is relatively affordable and well-designed tax-prep software, although we found TurboTax's interview to be more direct and thorough.
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Intuit TurboTax 2007 Deluxe
It's not perfect, but if you're brave enough to manage your own taxes, then TurboTax 2007 is Intuit's best tax application yet.
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Intuit TurboTax 2007 Premier
It's not perfect, but if you're brave enough to manage your own taxes, then TurboTax 2007 is Intuit's best tax application yet.
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Intuit TurboTax 2007 Home & Business
It's not perfect, but if you're brave enough to manage your own taxes, then TurboTax 2007 is Intuit's best tax application yet.
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Microsoft Office for Mac 2008 (Special Media Edition)
Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives.
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Microsoft Office for Mac 2008
Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives.
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Microsoft Office for Mac 2008 (Home and Student Edition)
Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives.
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Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.5
Although Webroot Spy Sweeper 5.5 scored well in CNET tests, it installs the Ask.com toolbar, which seems odd for antispyware product to do.
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Norton Internet Security 2008
While Symantec's protection is solid, the overall user experience within Norton Internet Security 2008 could be much, much better. Not all the features work together, and the program could use fewer system resources. We can also do without the addition of paid services within the technical support section.
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McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008 - complete package
McAfee Internet Security 2008 trounces Norton Internet Security 2008, offering a better designed product with more security tools.
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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.
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Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe 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.
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Microsoft Money Plus Home & Business 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.
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CA Anti-Virus Plus CA Anti-Spyware 2008
CA Anti-Virus Plus CA Anti-Spyware 2008 holds the middle ground this year, featuring faster code but lacking any compelling "must-have" features.
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Panda Antivirus 2008
Panda Antivirus 2008 is slower than the competition and lacks independent, third-party antivirus test results, and thus doesn't receive our recommendation.
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McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008
McAfee VirusScan Plus 2008's protection keeps up with the changing threats on the Internet, but the product itself doesn't excel.
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Nero 8
Nero 8 shows off a new interface for getting started that makes the many tools easier to find from the get-go. Some welcome new features include HD support, although this rich suite can still confuse.
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QuickBooks 2008 Simple Start Plus Pack
QuickBooks Premier 2008 remains the top small-business accounting program. Its guidance for novices is top-notch, and it comes in a variety of editions tailored for specific industries. Version 2008 isn't an essential upgrade for QuickBooks 2007 users, but it's a good buy for users of earlier versions, and for anyone new to accounting software.
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QuickBooks 2008 Pro
QuickBooks Premier 2008 remains the top small-business accounting program. Its guidance for novices is top-notch, and it comes in a variety of editions tailored for specific industries. Version 2008 isn't an essential upgrade for QuickBooks 2007 users, but it's a good buy for users of earlier versions, and for anyone new to accounting software.
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QuickBooks Premier 2008
QuickBooks Premier 2008 remains the top small-business accounting program. Its guidance for novices is top-notch, and it comes in a variety of editions tailored for specific industries. Version 2008 isn't an essential upgrade for QuickBooks 2007 users, but it's a good buy for users of earlier versions, and for anyone new to accounting software.
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Trend Micro Antivirus plus Antispyware 2008
Trend Micro Antivirus plus Antispyware 2008 offers a variety of features designed for the home and small office. However, lack of independent testing data keeps us from giving a final rating at this time.
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Norton AntiVirus 2008 with Spyware
Norton AntiVirus 2008 didn't wow us this year. While the protection is solid, the user experience could be much, much better, and the product itself could be more streamlined. Also we can do without the addition of paid services in the technical support section.
