All Spreadsheets

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

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3 or later, 233 MHz, 233 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: If you plan to keep your spreadsheets to yourself, you won't find many exciting new features in Excel 2002. But if you regularly share and edit spreadsheets with your coworkers, purchase the upgrade posthaste.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Intel Pentium 133 MHz, 72 MB, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 133 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, License

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Maintenance

Specs: Media, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, 4.0, Windows

Specs: 1 user, License & software assurance, Apple MacOS

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