Microsoft

Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 3, English, 1 pack DSP OEI CD

Best version of Windows, Works fine with WiFi, 2008-09-01
Best version of Windows, Works fine with WiFi

I had an old Pentium III, 733Mhz PC with 256 MB RAM sat in a cupboard, decided to try loading XP but didn't want to spend a lot on the software. This OEM version is a good price and loaded without issue, also registered with Microsoft without a problem. Ok as it is OEM copy you are unlikely to get technical support from Microsoft.

Windows XP (in my opinion) is by far the best version of Windows, very easy to install, stable and uses a reasonable amount of system resources (unlike Vista). XP Runs well on my old PC, which is now being used to serf the web.

A previous reviewer stated they had problems getting XP to connect to the internet using a wireless network; I've had no issues connecting my old PC using a Netgear WG111T 108Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter key, worked straight away, setup so XP is managing the connection. I have two other newer PCs running XP (Service Pack 2) and they are also connected wirelessly to the internet using a BT Homehub, one has a built-in adapter the other with a D-Link USB key.

Buy Windows XP while you still can.

Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition for Bundle Offers, 3-User Licence (Service Desk Edition) (PC)

What a great programme, 2008-10-10
Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (3 User Licence) (PC)

Just updated from 2003. what a brilliant programme, easy to install and very easy to use. I am not a professional user so this is great for us silver surfers to have. easy to install, easy to follow.

Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (3 User Licence) (PC)

• Produkt Version: 2007
• Sprache: E
• Format: CD

Happy customer, 2008-11-01
I'm not big user of office and mainly use it for typing letters and reading documents from work. However compared to office 2003 i find it more user friendly and visually looks a lot better. It does the job and am happy which is why 5/5 -

I don't understand why the low marks that outlook 2007 is not included when if you have windows vista it comes built in windows mail ( which is same as outlook express ) and far better email client then outlook 2007.

Before buying from amazon i search the web to see if i could find better price and by far amazon is lowest by at least 20-30pounds. Super-save delivery took about 4days -

Also had registry issues due to previous office causing problems after uninstall. Microsoft technical support was first class and resolved the issue within minutes.

Windows Vista, Home Premium Edition with Service Pack 1, Upgrade Version (PC)

Decent OS; I have no desire to switch, 2008-10-17
Frankly, I love Vista. While the minimum system requirements are higher than XP, they are by no means unreasonable, and the result is an OS that's easily as fast as Linux or OS X, and one that is much better laid out as well.

Small touches abound. The start menu has been condensed into one box instead of opening a potentially gigantic list of programs, and discrete info and link boxes are peppered throughout, making it infinitely easier to slip from one related task to another. A particularly nice touch is that the address bar showing your folder location includes a drop down arrow for every folder you've had to go through to reach it, with a list of all the folders contained within them, meaning that you can navigate back through into another folder with ease. It is much like the layout of OS X's folders in that respect, yet compresses it into a much more compact and just as functional design.

Functionality is a mixed bag, but usually for good reason; some old programs will find themselves unable to run on Vista's version of their dependencies, but the vast majority of programs can be made to run with compatibility mode. By this point Vista compatible drivers are standard, and shouldn't present a problem at all. Moreover, troubleshooting problems is vastly improved; with wireless problems in particular, XP was notorious for clamming up as to why it was refusing to work, resulting in a protracted search for a solution. At worst Vista is able to angle in on the general area of the problem, and at best will offer a direct fix. It's a hell of a lot better than the previous Windows favourite, 'dump everything and start over'.

Perhaps I'm simply used to the old Windows problems, but Vista hasn't presented any particular problem for me. Viruses have been very rare, crashes infrequent and mysterious errors few and easily solved, usually by Vista itself. The OS hasn't been a barrier to user accessibility as previous Windows versions have been, and the streamlined design works like a dream. And as always, the sheer popularity of Windows means that it comes out top for overall compatibility with the biggest range of file formats, software and hardware, from the most common to the most obscure.

Be warned: User Account Control is the most horrible invention known to man, comprising a 'security feature' that essentially asks you if you want to execute the program you've just clicked on, every single time you open it. You WILL learn to just click through it automatically, rendering it useless, and you WILL hate it. Make sure the first thing you do before anything else is to head into Control Panel and turn it off. Otherwise, I'm happy to say that Vista is an excellent OS, much better than XP and a perfectly acceptable contender to both OS X and Linux. It depends what your want from your machine; nonetheless, it would be a mistake to overlook Vista as being another buggy version of Windows.

Windows Live OneCare 2.0, 3 User License (PC)

Not bad at all, 2008-09-19
OK - I have had this product a month now. I have used a 3rd party firewall for something like 3 years or so now and was pretty happy with it except the PC lagging badly whenever it decided to activate an update or utility during a game - my PC would often freeze for a good while.

I already pay to use extended service MSN hotmail so i already have a billing account with them - this product requires you to register with them via a Windows live account - in my experience they give plenty of notice when your subscrition is up so you can cancel easily should you wish to.

Good bits

You don't need to be too PC literate to use this software - you get big buttons for 'tune up' and such like.

I works well not to cause too much lag in the OS - and so it should being from the same manufacturer.

It will check your PC periodically and advise you what admin tasks you should be doing - you can do them by a click and following the prompts.

Bad Bits

The system does a complete validation check and software update of all MS components without really asking.

It assumes you will use this software to perform admin the way MSN recommend. If you wish to deviate you get to live with pop ups every time you start up, recommending certain actions.

If you don't perform some actions the software gives you an amber status light and 'fair' status, to get green & good you need to follow the recommended action - some people may get intimidated into doing it all the 'MSN way'

On balance it works well and is easy to use, i can live with amber and do my backups my way.

Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 - Licence and media - 1 user - OEM - CD - Win

Full of exciting, useful features. , 2007-05-26
Has all the features expected from MS for a product of this caliber and runs like a champ. Has added in the ability of sharing information with other users over the network.
I can say that Office 2003 Professional is one of the best office application out today.
Bottom Line: The best of the best in office applications...

Office 2008 for Mac, Home and Student Edition (Mac)

• Produkt Version: 2008
• Sprache: E
• Format: CD

Ideal for creating windows compatible documents..., 2008-11-11
I am by no means a computer genius but talking from a novice point of view I have to say that after purchasing this product 3 months ago I have been perfectly happy with it. I previously had the office 2004 for MAC which admittedly was perhaps a little more user friendly and generally straight forward, but decided to upgrade to the new Office 2008 when I purchased a new iMac.

I generally only use Word and Excel, occasionally Powerpoint, and they serve the purpose that they are there for. After a little bit of getting used to, I've figured most things out, although creating web pages with the Word is not as simple as it was with 2004, and would happily recommend it to a friend. I am currently using it with Leopard operating system.

If you simply want to be able to create Windows compatible documents then this pack should give you everything you need. I use mine for writing word documents and creating spreadsheets and transferring these between my Windows based PC at work and my iMac at home. For this everything serves the purpose well.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 OEM

Microsoft AutoRoute 2007 (PC)

I only wanted it for one thing - and it does it well, 2008-07-17
Having read the other reviews I was worried.

Very worried.

But I only wanted autoroute for one thing

I am on the road a lot, and I can import from an excel spreadsheet the details of my clients and they appear on the map screen! So I can plan journeys to reduce maileage and with fuel prices as high as they are that soon saves the cost of the software. I have nothing to add on any other comment, but this feature alone makes it a must have.

Microsoft Outlook 2007 (PC)

not much different to 2003, 2008-10-16
I just installed this on my desktop and laptop and not found it not too different to outlook 2003. Can't really see major changes but as all msn office product goes, it is still fairly easy to use.