Shop for operating systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 460 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
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 325 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
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 73 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
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 44 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
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 170 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
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2426 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
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 189 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
• 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: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

• CNET Editor rating:
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• 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:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• 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!

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: 1 PC, License and media

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

Specs: 20 device CALs, License

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• 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!

Specs: 1 CAL, 2 processors, License and media

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

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!

Specs: Unlimited clients, License, 1 GB, Intel Pentium 133 MHz, 128 MB, CD-ROM, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, 133 MHz

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

Specs: 1 PC, License and media, 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!

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: 3.5 stars out of 12 reviews

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: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

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

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

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: 5.0 stars out of 1 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:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!