All Business and productivity

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: Although Microsoft Office 2007 offers deeper features, particularly for number crunchers, Apple iWork '08 is a strong Mac productivity package and a pleasure to use.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.10, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, 500 MHz, MacOS

The Bottom Line: If you work with Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis, this upgrade can make scheduling simpler and e-mailing more interesting. Still, we wish Instant Search and e-mail rendering were better.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, 500 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to let go of old habits from previous versions of Word and want to make sleeker-looking documents, Microsoft Word 2007 is worth the upgrade. However, less-expensive alternatives handle its core features without the clutter.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: With its slick new look and powerful set of bookkeeping tools, Peachtree Complete Accounting 2007 is a fine upgrade for longtime users, especially for small shops that need to manage inventory.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, 1 GHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0, Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1

The Bottom Line: With its slick new look and powerful set of bookkeeping tools, Peachtree Complete Accounting 2007 is a fine upgrade for longtime users, especially for small shops that need to manage inventory.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, 1 GHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0, Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1