Shop for operating systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 462 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: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 327 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: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 74 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 45 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 171 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 2427 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 190 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:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Intel, Intel

• 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 2 reviews

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

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

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!

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

Specs: 1 PC, Upgrade 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:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: 20 user CALs, License, 4 GB, 300 MHz, 256 MB, CD-ROM, VGA monitor, 300 MHz

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

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

Specs: 5 CALs, 1 server, Complete package, 16 GB, 750 MHz, 512 MB, CD-ROM, VGA monitor, 750 MHz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 85 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!

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

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