Standard Presentation

The Bottom Line: Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.11, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, Intel Power PC G4, Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, Intel Power PC G4, Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5, 500 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later

The Bottom Line: Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.

Specs: 5 PC in one household, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.11, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, 500 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later

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: Overall, Apple iWork '06 is a compelling package, though mostly due to Keynote 3. Keynote 3 is a better tool than PowerPoint, and Pages 2 offers some intriguing new features, though professional users will still yearn for Adobe FrameMaker.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.3.9, Apple MacOS X 10.4.3, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, 500 MHz, MacOS

The Bottom Line: Although it's pricey, Microsoft's PowerPoint 2003 is still the reigning champion of presentation software. You'll get a wealth of customization options, though not when it comes to export formats.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 233 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 233 MHz, Windows

Editors' Take: Visio 2003 is an excellent tool for turning technical concepts into visual diagrams.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 160 MB, Intel Pentium 233 MHz, 128 MB, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Intel Pentium, 233 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, 600 MHz, 1, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 600 MHz, Windows, Flash Player 6 or later, Internet Explorer 5.0 or later

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Intel Pentium 133 MHz, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 133 MHz

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 233 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 233 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Windows