• Microsoft Windows XP: Should It Be Allowed to Live?

  
  We're looking for a few good Windows XP users to tell us why they still use this Microsoft operating system.

• Snow Leopard Is a Pale Imitation of Windows 7

  
  Let's wade through Apple's laundry list of borrowed features and derivative works in the new Mac OS.
• The 10 Stupidest Tech Company Blunders
• Why Macs Can't Beat PCs with Windows 7
• Snow Leopard vs. Win 7: Battle Begins August 28
• 11 Major New Snow Leopard Features
• Apple to Release Snow Leopard on August 28
• Jessica Biel Could Give You a (PC) Virus
• Can You Trust Free Antivirus Software?
• Review: Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Software Reviews

• Roxio Creator 2010 Disc-Burning Suite The latest upgrade to Roxio's comprehensive disc-burning suite introduces some welcome improvements, but it costs significantly more than competing packages.
• Alwil Avast Antivirus Home Edition Free Antivirus Software Avast Antivirus Home Edition provides solid antimalware protection and a good set of features, but its outdated interface needs a makeover.
• Clamwin Free Antivirus Software This open-source antivirus software fails to get the job done, with disappointing malware detection and no real-time scanning.
• AVG 8.5 Free Antivirus Software Though AVG 8.5 Free has a good, straightforward interface and useful blocking of Web-based attacks, its malware blocking is below average.
• Microsoft Security Essentials (Beta) Free Antivirus Software An effective but somewhat slow utility, Microsoft Security Essentials will be a solid contender when it comes out of beta around the end of 2009.

Software News

• 11 Major New Snow Leopard Features Snow Leopard may be a "minor" update to Mac OS X, with a $29 upgrade price and a focus on improved speed and reliability, but it's still bursting at the seams...
• Inside Snow Leopard's Under-the-hood Additions Snow Leopard features several new under-the-hood technologies that, at first glance, might seem to be of interest only to Mac software developers. But those...
• Gauging Snow Leopard's Speed Boosts Apple describes Snow Leopard as a top-to-bottom refinement of existing features. One major goal of those refinements: Improved performance.
• Inside Snow Leopard's Hidden Malware Protection While malware has long been an almost daily annoyance for Windows PCs, Mac users have become accustomed to not worrying about malicious software. Threats arise...
• Consortium to Oversee Software Quality CISQ will standardize metrics and license software quality evaluation service providers.

Software Playing in PCW Video

• 
  Windows 7: A Guided Tour of Its Security Improvements PC World's "Uncle" Robert is a funny guy, but he takes a serious look at some of Window's 7's new system management and security tools.
• 
  New Instrument Makes Music With Lasers The Beamz Interactive Music System lets you play music by simply passing your hands through six laser beams that trigger different streams of musical notes and sounds.
• 
  How to Resurrect a Crashed Hard Drive Recover data using the freezer and Frisbee tricks and more.

Software Slideshows

• Snow Leopard Versus Windows 7 Neither Windows 7 or Snow Leopard try to reinvent the wheel, but both pack notable new features, large and small.
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard: New Bells and Whistles Explained An in-depth visual tour of the new Mac OS features that every user will want to know about.
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard: What's New for the Power User A visual tour of the new Mac OS features that every administrator and power user will want to explore.
• Slim Is In: The 11 Skinniest Video Game Characters Ever! In honor of the PS3 Slim, we count down the 11 skinniest game characters.
• Top 10 Must-Have iPhone Business Apps Need to edit an Excel file on the fly? Want to update your Web site via FTP while crammed on a subway car? These 10 essential business apps for your iPhone will help you run your business from your back pocket.

Software How-Tos

• Is Your PC Bot-Infested? Here's How to Tell Botnets are big, bad, and widespread -- but if your system is infected, you can take several simple steps to clean it and stay safe.
• Back Up, Restore, and Migrate Firefox Bobbyd asked the Answer Line forum the best way to back up and restore Firefox bookmarks and settings
• Managing the Same E-mail Inbox on Two Computers Larry Howlett wants to know why e-mail he downloads on one PC doesn't show up on the other
• MP3 DJ DJ Dan Shaughnessy asked for advice on switching from CDs to MP3s
• Get More From Your Mouse Use your mouse wheel to scroll tabs in Office and open new tabs in Firefox--plus, never double-click again.

• 
  Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Ultraport Save $356 and Free Upgrades. Up to 9.8 hours b-resistant keyboard, roll cage protection.attery life, spill

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• 
  Lenovo G Series Everyday Computing 15.6" Engineered for value. Smartly configured for home or home office. Starting at $479

  Save up to $200 through August 26