Shop for operating systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 351 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows Vista Home Premium is essentially warmed-over Windows XP Home Edition. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista Home Premium is stable enough for everyday use. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 40 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 1 GB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 482 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 40 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 1 GB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 81 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows Vista Home Basic is essentially warmed-over Windows XP, Windows XP SP3. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 20 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 512 MB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 32 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 47 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows Vista Business is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use. Read review

Specs: 1 PC, Complete package, 40 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 1 GB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 176 reviews

The Bottom Line: The grace of Leopard's interface enhancements makes productivity more pleasurable with a Mac, as more than 300 functional and fun features top off this update. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 9 GB, PowerPC G4 867 MHz, 512 MB, 10.5, DVD-ROM, PowerPC G4, 867 MHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2428 reviews

The Bottom Line: XP is a worthwhile upgrade from 95/98 or Windows 2000. Unless you need corporate administration tools, XP Home Edition should suffice for most--even for small businesses. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 1.5 GB, Intel Pentium 233 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 233 MHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 191 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows Professional boasts serious corporate administration tools--it's a trustworthy upgrade from Windows 2000. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 1.5 GB, Intel Pentium 233 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 233 MHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: For small businesses that need a business in a box and want to stick with Microsoft technology, SBS 2003 is the only game in town. Read review

Specs: 1 server, 5 clients, Complete package

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

• CNET Editor rating:
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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

• CNET Editor rating:
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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

• CNET Editor rating:
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• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Windows Home Server helps you pull together and protect all your family's files in a single, central location that makes sharing easy. Keep all those digital memories safe for ... Read more

Specs: 10 CALs, 1 server, License and media, 70 GB, Pentium III 1 GHz, 512 MB, DVD-ROM, Keyboard, Network adapter, Mouse or compatible device, Pentium III, 1 GHz

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

Manufacturer description: The Windows Server 2003 R2 operating system extends Windows Server 2003, providing a more efficient way to manage and control access to local and remote resources while at the same ... Read more

Specs: 5 CALs, 1 server, License and media

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 86 reviews

The Bottom Line: Windows 2000 isn't for the gamer or the casual surfer, but if you have a yen for speed, stability, and some serious server tools, this business-class OS will do you right. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 2 GB, Intel Pentium 133 MHz, 64 MB, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 133 MHz

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

Manufacturer description: The most complete edition of Windows Vista - with the power, security, and mobility features that you need for work, and all of the entertainment features that you want for ... Read more

Specs: 1 PC, Upgrade package, 40 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 1 GB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: VMware Workstation is a powerful desktop virtualization software for software developers/testers and enterprise IT professionals that runs multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single PC. Users can run Windows, ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3, Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP4, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1 for Small Business, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition SP1 or later, 733 MHz, 6, CD-ROM, 733 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 4.0 or later

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

Manufacturer description: Reflection X connects Windows users to graphical and character-based applications on UNIX, Linux, OpenVMS, and Unisys systems. This high-powered PC X server with built-in GLX and terminal emulation support is ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Citrix Presentation Server, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Server Terminal Server, 14.0, Mouse or compatible device, OpenGL compatible graphics card, Windows

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

Manufacturer description: The Windows Server 2003 family takes the best of Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to deploy, manage, and use. The result: a highly productive infrastructure that helps ... Read more

Specs: 20 user CALs, License

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 12 reviews

Manufacturer description: The Microsoft Windows 98 operating system is the upgrade to Windows that makes your computer work better and play better. It works better by making it simple to access the ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 260 MB, Intel 486 or higher 66 MHz, 24 MB, CD-ROM, VGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, Intel 486 or higher, 66 MHz

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

Manufacturer description: Windows Vista Business is the first Windows operating system designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. You'll empower your entire business to work more efficiently with a ... Read more

Specs: 1 PC, Upgrade package, 40 GB, Intel x86 1 GHz, 1 GB, DVD-ROM, Sound card, 128 MB video memory, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, Intel x86, 1 GHz

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

Manufacturer description: Windows XP Home Edition gives you the freedom to experience more than you ever thought possible with your computer and the Internet. This is the operating system home users have ... Read more

Specs: 1 PC, License and media, 1.5 GB, 233 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, Keyboard, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 233 MHz

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

Manufacturer description: SQL Server is a comprehensive, integrated end-to-end data solution that empowers users across your organization by providing them with a secure, reliable, and productive platform for enterprise data and business ... Read more

Specs: 1 processor, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard SP1 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition SP1, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter SP1 or later, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 SP1 or later, 600 MHz, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, 600 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: Windows Server 2008 Standard is the most robust Windows Server operating system to date. With built-in, enhanced Web and virtualization capabilities, it is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility ... Read more

Specs: 5 CALs, 1 server, Complete package, 10 GB, 512 MB, DVD-ROM, Keyboard, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device

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

Manufacturer description: Microsoft Windows XP Professional is the next version of the Windows operating system, which is designed for businesses of all sizes, and for individuals who demand the most from their ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, License and media, 1.5 GB, Intel Pentium 233 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 233 MHz

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

Manufacturer description: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition is the next version of the Windows operating system, which is designed exclusively for home computing. Windows XP Home Edition puts the exciting experiences of ... Read more

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 1.5 GB, Pentium MMX 233 MHz, 64 MB, CD-ROM, Mouse or compatible device, Pentium MMX, 233 MHz