Specs: 1 user, Complete package

Specs: 1 user, Complete package

Specs: Complete package

The Bottom Line: Quicken 2010 is a solid finance package, especially for novices, but offers little that's substantively new.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 2x CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) - 400 MHz, 1 GHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 isn't necessarily the best suite around, but it's definitely effective and should appeal to those who like making granular adjustments to their protection.

Specs: Complete package, 2 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate), 1 GHz or higher (Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows Professional)

The Bottom Line: Norton AntiVirus 2010 builds on the immense progress made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Starter, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: iTunes 9 is a natural, yet relatively minor, evolution of Apple's popular media management software and is a required download for new iPod owners.

The Bottom Line: Norton Internet Security 2010 builds on the immense progress it made in last year's version, maintaining a low system profile while strengthening its security framework. It's not perfect, but even Symantec's detractors should check it out.

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Starter, CD-ROM, 300 MHz or higher, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: A majority of home users will appreciate Corel Digital Studio's feature set, its interactive projects, and wide support for photo and video formats.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3, Sound card, DVD-ROM, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, XGA monitor, Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon - 1.83 GHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but its questionable efficacy and middling performance make it a program we're not recommending.

Specs: 3 PCs, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Microsoft Windows Vista SP1