Quantcast

Don't Miss

CNET Reviews - Most Recent Software

Rank Most Popular Titles
1 Quicken Deluxe 2010
Quicken 2010 is a solid finance package, especially for novices, but offers little that's substantively new.
2 Zone Alarm Extreme Security 2010
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.
3 Norton AntiVirus 2010 (1 User, 1 PC)
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.
4 Apple iTunes 9
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.
5 Norton Internet Security 2010 (1 User, 3 PCs)
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.
6 Corel Digital Studio 2010
A majority of home users will appreciate Corel Digital Studio's feature set, its interactive projects, and wide support for photo and video formats.
7 Trend Micro Internet Security 2010
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.
8 Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010
Trend Micro Internet Security Pro's broad feature set combined with its look and feel make it a serious contender, but questionable efficacy and middling performance mean it's a program we're not recommending for this year.
9 Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010
Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass.
10 Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Intel Mac users will like Snow Leopard's smartly designed interface enhancements, and its Exchange support is a must-have (especially with Outlook for Mac on the way). With a ton of technological improvements, Snow Leopard is worth the $29 upgrade fee.
11 Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 (1-Year License)
Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is a full-featured security suite, and the 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests. However, be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting.
12 Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 (CD-ROM, 1-Year License)
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010 offers pricey antivirus protection. The 2009 version scored well on independent antivirus detection and removal tests, but be prepared to pay a premium for what you're getting.
13 Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium)
Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.
14 Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional)
Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.
15 Microsoft Windows 7 (Ultimate)
Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.
16 Corel Home Office
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.
17 Trimble Outdoors (Verizon Wireless)
Trimble Outdoors offers a number of navigation and tracking tools for Verizon phones, but the trouble with Trimble is the inconsistent performance and accuracy.
18 H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal + State + E-file 2008 (1 User, Box Set, Download)
TaxCut 2008 is missing TurboTax's advanced importing engines and sophisticated tax tools, and it takes longer than TurboTax to fill out. However, its free session of live tax advice and free live audit support will win over taxpayers who value personalized customer service.
19 TurboTax Deluxe 2008 (Federal + State)
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.
20 iLife '09
Apple iLife '09 is a great application suite for simple media organizing and editing, and the addition of features like face recognition, geotagging, and music lessons makes it worth the update.
21 iWork '09
Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.
22 iWork '09 Family Pack
Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.
23 Panda Internet Security 2009
Panda Internet Security 2009 is vastly improved in speed and effectiveness over last year, but could use a little more work on specific features and technical support.
24 Eset Smart Security 3
Eset Smart Security 3 offers best of breed antimalicious software protection without a lot of extras.
25 Avira AntiVir Personal 8
AntiVir Personal 8 provides more than adequate malicious-software protection, but for the price, we expected more features and polish.