1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.1.2
THE GOOD
Flash CS4 lets users creates animation in fewer steps; new 3D Rotation and Bones tools; Motion Editor; Motion presets; faster rendering; Adobe AIR support; new XFL format isn't saved by default; practical interface adjustments.
THE BAD
Longtime users may dislike Flash CS4's radical changes; new tools can be clumsy; steep price.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Flash becomes friendlier and more fun to explore as CS4 introduces a faster approach to animation, making this a worthwhile upgrade for both beginners and seasoned programmers.
TurboTax 2008's ability to import W2 and investment income details dramatically saves time and typing; free federal e-file for up to five returns is a new perk.
THE BAD
Already pricier than rivals, TurboTax 2008's extra services can add up quickly. It offers no free live tax advice, and printing the state return takes more effort than it should.
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.
1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, Intel PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 (867MHz or faster) 867 MHz, Intel Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster), DVD-ROM, Intel PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 (867MHz or faster), Intel Power Mac G5 (dual 2.0GHz or faster), iMac G5 (1.9GHz or faster), 867 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later
THE GOOD
Apple iLife '09 sees several improvements over iLife '08: iPhoto now has face recognition, geotagging, and social network integration; iMovie regains a few advanced tools; and music lessons come to GarageBand.
THE BAD
iPhoto's face detection isn't perfect, and the social network integration needs some work; iMovie's great for simple editing, but advanced users might find it lacking.
THE BOTTOM LINE
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.
DVD-ROM, Internet connection, OpenGL compatible graphics card, 2 GHz or faster for DV, 3.4 GHz for HDV, Dual 2.8 GHz for HD (Windows), Intel Multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, QuickTime 7.4.5
THE GOOD
The dozen applications in the Adobe CS4 Master Collection sport streamlined interfaces and integration for designing and editing images, Web pages, mobile sites, desktop apps, animation, film, and print layouts, and support the latest digital formats.
THE BAD
These costly, heavy-duty applications take long to install, are hard to learn, and hog resources; personal tech support can exceed the price of some applications; some apps, such as Photoshop, offer few compelling reasons for most users to upgrade.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The CS4 Master Collection contains every application in the Adobe Creative Suite. Although priced for serious professionals, it's a relative bargain compared with buying each ingredient piecemeal.
DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1
THE GOOD
Adobe CS4 Design Premium bundles a great Flash update, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat 9, at a relative discount; features improved integration among similar interfaces.
THE BAD
Updates to Photoshop and InDesign don't justify the upgrade for most users; excludes audio editing; heavy-duty applications take long to install, are hard to learn, and hog resources; costly personal tech support.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Adobe CS4 Design Premium contains nearly every tool for editing digital images and layouts for print and the Web, as well as for crafting interactive animation and desktop apps. If you don't need video editing, pick this over the Master Collection and save $700.
DVD-ROM, 64MB video memory, Internet connection, 1280 x 900 monitor resolution, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, QuickTime 7.4.5
THE GOOD
Adobe CS4 Web Premium includes a game-changing update to Flash; spruced-up shortcuts for dynamic designs in Dreamweaver and Fireworks; decent if unnecessary upgrades of Photoshop and Illustrator, Soundbooth and Acrobat 9, with improved integration among similar interfaces.
THE BAD
These heavy-duty applications take long to install, are hard to learn, and hog resources; personal tech support can exceed the price of some applications.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Adobe CS4 Web Premium is a good deal for interactive designers who don't need tools for video editing and sophisticated print layouts.
DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, QuickTime 7.4.5
THE GOOD
Adobe CS4 Web Standard includes a game-changing update to Flash; with spruced-up dynamic design shortcuts Dreamweaver in Fireworks, and improved integration among their similar interfaces.
THE BAD
Adobe CS4 Web Standard doesn't include Photoshop and Illustrator; heavy-duty applications take long to install, are hard to learn, and hog resources; costly personal tech support.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Adobe CS4 Web Standard serves interactive designers who don't have to edit images, but many will find Web Premium a better deal for bundling Photoshop and Illustrator for $500 more.
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1.8 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1.8 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1.8 GHz, Windows, OpenGL
THE GOOD
Veteran set of powerful imaging tools; streamlined user interface; more extensible and customizable; completely overhauled 3D engine in Extended version.
THE BAD
More of a memory hog than Photoshop CS3; print features and type engine still in dire need of an update.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you work with 3D, Photoshop Extended is a must-have upgrade; ditto if you think you'd use more of Standard's tools if the interface were less opaque, if you need to upgrade other suite applications, or if you qualify for an academic discount. All things considered, while Adobe Photoshop CS4 makes some improvements over CS3, it might be worth skipping this generation and waiting for the next.
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1.8 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1.8 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, OpenGL compatible graphics card, 1.8 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1.8 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.2 or later
THE GOOD
Veteran set of powerful imaging tools; streamlined user interface; more extensible and customizable; completely overhauled 3D engine in Extended version.
THE BAD
More of a memory hog than Photoshop CS3; print features and type engine still in dire need of an update.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you work with 3D, Photoshop Extended is a must-have upgrade; ditto if you think you'd use more of Standard's tools if the interface were less opaque, if you need to upgrade other suite applications, or if you qualify for an academic discount. All things considered, while Adobe Photoshop CS4 makes some improvements over CS3, it might be worth skipping this generation and waiting for the next.
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, Internet connection, 1280 x 800 monitor resolution, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows
THE GOOD
Adobe has streamlined Dreamweaver's interface to match and integrate with other CS4 applications; customizable workspace includes collapsible tool panels; new coding views.
THE BAD
Dreamweaver CS4 is too complex and costly for those making lightweight Web designs; continues to add unwanted code to Web pages; price prohibitive for bootstrapping designers.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Best for coding and design pros, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 is perhaps the sharpest, swiftest tool for developing and editing dynamic Web sites.
H&R Block TaxCut Premium Federal + State + E-file 2008
EDITORS RATING
7.8
SPECS
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, 2x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, MacOS, Windows, Safari 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
THE GOOD
As part of H&R Block, TaxCut 2008 offers more avenues to one-on-one assistance, some useful convenience tools, and a new, free online version for simple federal returns.
THE BAD
TaxCut doesn't import W-2 and investment income information, resulting in a longer tax-prep process. Some wording remains confusing.
THE BOTTOM LINE
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.
1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.11, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, Intel Power PC G4, Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, Intel Power PC G4, Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5, 500 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later
THE GOOD
Interface tweaks make commonly used features more accessible. Flashy, eye-catching presentations are even easier to make. iWork apps play well together with added interoperability across the suite.
THE BAD
Still no business-grade e-mail client. iWork.com Web component doesn't allow for true collaboration. The lack of an auto save feature is a particularly problematic omission we hope to see in future releases.
THE BOTTOM LINE
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.
5 PC in one household, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.11, Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later, 500 MHz, DVD-ROM, 500 MHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.5.5 or later
THE GOOD
Interface tweaks make commonly used features more accessible. Flashy, eye-catching presentations are even easier to make. iWork apps play well together with added interoperability across the suite.
THE BAD
Still no business-grade e-mail client. iWork.com Web component doesn't allow for true collaboration. The lack of an auto save feature is a particularly problematic omission we hope to see in future releases.
THE BOTTOM LINE
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.
DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), IntelPowerPC G5, Intel Multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, QuickTime 7.4.5
THE GOOD
Adobe CS4 Design Standard includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat 9 at a discount compared with their individual sticker prices; features improved integration among their similar interfaces.
THE BAD
Updates to Photoshop and InDesign don't justify the upgrade for most users; heavy-duty applications take long to install, are hard to learn, and hog resources; costly personal technical support.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Adobe CS4 Design Standard serves designers who edit digital images and layouts for print, but many will find Design Premium a better deal for bundling the interactive potential of Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks for $400 more.
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G4 1 GHz, PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows
THE GOOD
Multipage support; faster; a few nice new features.
THE BAD
Multipage implementation a bit frustrating; annoying help system.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While Adobe Illustrator CS4's most compelling new feature--pseudo-multipage support--can be frustrating to use, overall it makes CS4 a worthwhile upgrade for current users.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 includes a fast malicious software engine, Secunia vulnerability database, and built-in system restore capabilities.
THE BAD
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 results messages were unclear, the installation could have been a lot smoother, it leaves behind registry file after uninstall, and it needs more security tools to justify the price.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 provides adequate protection, but the program itself could use some work in telling the user what's going on.
1 PC, Subscription package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions), 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, CD-ROM, 300 MHz Intel Pentium, 300 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0
THE GOOD
Panda Internet Security 2009 is vastly improved in speed and effectiveness over last year's version.
THE BAD
Panda Internet Security 2009 drops the ball on technical-support options for users.
THE BOTTOM LINE
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.
Small megabyte footprint, built-in PDF creation tools, and Flash installation work well on tiny Netbooks; Microsoft Office 2007-style interface; reads and saves documents in multiple file types, including Microsoft analogs; multilanguage support.
THE BAD
Often renders text differently than it should when pasting or importing content; lacks advanced features applicable to Netbooks users.
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.
1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista) 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, 4x CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, 1.8 GHz (Microsoft Windows XP), 2 GHz (Microsoft Windows Vista), 1.8 GHz, 2 GHz, Windows, Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
THE GOOD
Intuit QuickBooks Premier 2009 offers improved online banking tools; Live Community user-assisted help; Company Snapshot screen for quick business overview; a free Web site for one year; support for international payments and most world currencies; better client data-review tools for accountants.
THE BAD
QuickBooks Premier 2009 suffers some glitches with online banking setup; Live Community not as responsive as it should be; no free support for setup issues; sluggish performance on Vista PCs with 1GB of RAM.
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.
Trimble Outdoors provides navigation and lets you record trips, hikes, and walks from your cell phone. The Web component lets you download and upload trips to your phone.
THE BAD
The program didn't do the best job of tracking our exact movements. When uploading a trip to the PC, our trail went through buildings and didn't always accurately trace our steps.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Trimble Outdoors offers a number of navigation and tracking tools for Verizon phones, but the trouble with Trimble is the inconsistent performance and accuracy.
CA Internet Security Suite 2009 has a cool Getting Started tutorial and good technical support options.
THE BAD
Slow and sluggish; poor user interface; antiphishing feature is inadequate.
THE BOTTOM LINE
CA Internet Security Suite 2009 has made some modest gains over its previous efforts, but overall it lags behind its security suite competition in speed and effectiveness.
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