All Voice recognition

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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 NT 4.0 SP6, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2, 510 MB, Pentium III 600 MHz, 192 MB, 10, USB port, 4x CD-ROM, Pentium III, 600 MHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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, Apple MacOS X 10.1, 600 MB, PowerPC G3 300 MHz, 192 MB, 3, CD-ROM, USB port, Sound card, PowerPC G3, 300 MHz, MacOS

The Bottom Line: 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, Apple MacOS X 10.1, 600 MB, PowerPC G3 300 MHz, 192 MB, 10, CD-ROM, Speaker(s), USB port, Microphone, PowerPC G3, 300 MHz, MacOS

The Bottom Line: 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 XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 510 MB, Intel Pentium 300 MHz, 192 MB, 10, 4x CD-ROM, Sound card, Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, 233 MHz, USB port, Network adapter, 233 MHz, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1 or later, 1 GHz, 9, CD-ROM, Speaker(s), Microphone, 16 bit sound card, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 5.0 or later