Shop for business and productivity

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 166 reviews

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything. Read review

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 13 reviews

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

Specs: Complete package, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), CD-ROM, Modem, Printer, Sound card, Speakers, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 44 reviews

The Bottom Line: Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.9 or later, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 69 reviews

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, 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 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 17 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives. Read review

Specs: 3 PC in one household, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.9 or later, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 72 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to let go of old habits from previous versions of Word and want to make sleeker-looking documents, Microsoft Word 2007 is worth the upgrade. However, less-expensive alternatives handle its core features without the clutter. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Corel WordPerfect Office X4 suite best fits those who prefer traditional interfaces for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. We found the features rich, but the execution sometimes clumsy. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 466 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 466 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 2 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 23 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you work with Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis, this upgrade can make scheduling simpler and e-mailing more interesting. Still, we wish Instant Search and e-mail rendering were better. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, 500 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Specs: Complete package, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), CD-ROM, Modem, Printer, Sound card, Speakers, 400 MHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 1 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista)

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite some compatibility setbacks, Corel Home Office suite is useful for creating documents. Its conscientious size, small-screen optimizations, and attractive price make it a good buy for a Netbook office suite, or for saving space by shedding advanced features. Read review

Specs: 1 user, 1 GHz, USB drive, Mouse or tablet, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Overall, Microsoft Office Standard 2007 is a worthy upgrade if you need to make sleeker-looking documents and presentations to share with others, and Outlook is better than ever, but you can stick to your current software if you don't feel that it lacks anything. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: TurboTax 2008 is the most expensive tax app on the market, but it's also fast, complete, and straightforward. If finishing quickly is your goal, the extra cost is worth it. If you anticipate wanting live help support, look into TaxCut. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, MacOS, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

Manufacturer description: Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 is an affordable way for students and teachers to get Microsoft Office productivity tools to use at school and home. Install Office Student ... Read more

Specs: 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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: Corel WordPerfect Office X3 is a very good productivity suite with enough enhancements to warrant an upgrade. Microsoft Office users, though, should wait for Microsoft Office 12. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, 466 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 466 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 5.5

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 40 reviews

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. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.10, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, 500 MHz, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Manufacturer description: Office Professional 2007 is a complete, easy-to-use suite of productivity and information management software to help business professionals save time and stay organized. Powerful features centralize customer, sales and project ... Read more

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later, 500 MHz, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Manufacturer description: Office 2003 Editions can help organizations and their employees transform information into impact. New and familiar products, features, and functionality improve how people and organizations connect to coworkers, information, and ... Read more

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Office for Mac 2008 may be the best pick for business users, but most people can get by with less costly alternatives. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.9 or later, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 500 MHz, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 keeps the program's well-designed, intuitive interface, while adding a few new features. It's a worthy upgrade for people serious about online banking, and it remains the best accounting program for small business owners. However, Intuit should be more generous with customer support, particularly for setup issues. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista) 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, SVGA monitor, Internet connection 56k, 500 MHz Intel Pentium II (Microsoft Windows XP), 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III (Microsoft Windows Vista), 500 MHz, 1.2 GHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Microsoft Works Plus 2008 makes your household tasks easier by providing a set of basic home productivity programs, including Microsoft Office Word 2003 and the Works spreadsheet, database, calendar and ... Read more

Specs: 1 PC, License and media, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP1, 1 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 4MB video memory, Mouse or compatible device, 1 GHz, 1.6 GHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Microsoft Office Basic Edition 2003 is the basic personal and business productivity solution that provides familiar, easy-to-use document authoring, analysis, presentation, and communication applications. It also benefits from the integration ... Read more

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