All Software

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.

Specs: 1 PC, Complete 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 Bottom Line: Eset Smart Security 3 offers best of breed antimalicious software protection without a lot of extras.

The Bottom Line: AntiVir Personal 8 provides more than adequate malicious-software protection, but for the price, we expected more features and polish.

Specs: Complete package, 133 MHz Intel Pentium, 133 MHz Intel Pentium

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.

Specs: 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, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Windows, QuickTime 7.4.5

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.

Specs: DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Windows

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.

Specs: 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, 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, Windows, QuickTime 7.4.5

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.

Specs: DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), IntelPowerPC G5, Intel Multicore (Mac), 2 GHz, 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, Windows, QuickTime 7.4.5