Presentations Business and productivity

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

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 XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), 466 MHz, 800 MHz, CD-ROM, Sound card, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 466 MHz, 800 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Specs: 3 PC in one household, 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

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, Microsoft Windows 2000, 1.6 GHz, 1, CD-ROM, 1.6 GHz, Windows, Microsoft PowerPoint XP, Microsoft PowerPoint 2003

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.x or later, 733 MHz, 7, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 733 MHz, MacOS

Specs: 1 client, License & software assurance