Apple Mac OS X on x86: a first test
Tech Guide Steve Jobs might not approve, but Apple's latest operating system can be installed on any x86 hardware. How well does it function? Read our preliminary labs test to find out.
Desktop Linux for small business
Group Test Is your business ready to take the open source plunge? We test five leading desktop Linux distributions and come up with one winner.
Windows Vista Beta 1: screenshot gallery
Preview Take a look inside the forthcoming operating system from Microsoft. Although it's not due for release until late 2006, a few features are worth checking out.
Browser shoot-out: IE 7 v Firefox 2
Buyer's Guide Microsoft and Mozilla have both recently released new and long-awaited browsers. Each has its adherents, but which should you use? We put them head-to-head.
Dual core shoot-out: Intel versus AMD
Tech Guide AMD's Athlon 64 X2 3800+ is an affordable entry-level dual core processor. But how does it match up to Intel's equivalent Pentium D? We have the benchmarks.
Windows Vista's new security features
Tech Guide Microsoft's new operating system won't be out until late 2006, but here's a look at some of the new security features expected.
10 ways to increase Vista's performance
Tech Guide Windows Vista has some great new security and functionality features, as well as a host of graphical tricks. However, if you find Vista's performance lagging, take heart: here's how to make Vista run faster.
Win a Centrino Pro-powered Lenovo laptop
Competition The ThinkPad X61 ultraportable plus Centrino Pro's power-thrifty features add up to one great prize for the final day of our Christmas competition.
Photos: OLPC, Classmate and Eee
Photos How do the three leading education-orientated ultraportable notebooks stack up? Take our visual tour to find out.
Give public biometrics the finger
Tech Guide Like it or not, fingerprint scanners are becoming ever more widespread. Are they more secure? No.
Five things you'll love (and hate) about Windows Vista
Tech Guide We've lived with beta 2 of Vista for a while. Here are our top five pros and cons of the new OS.
Alternatives to Microsoft Office
Buyer's Guide In the world of productivity suites, you don't need to pay a lot to get the basic tools for reading, writing and arithmetic. Read our reviews and previews to discover what's in each bundle, from the freebies to the full-featured suites.
Google Talk: a first look
Preview With an interface that lacks ads but is also short on features, this early Google Talk beta serves Gmail users who want to chat via text or voice.
Lotus Notes/Domino 8, Beta 2
Preview In version 8 of IBM/Lotus's upcoming collaboration suite, the client (Notes) moves to a new Java framework while the server (Domino) gets a number of overdue enhancements.
Roll your own creative suite
Buyer's Guide Adobe's powerhouse Creative Suite 3 isn't for everyone, not least because of the cost. This guide shows how you can put together your own creative package with open-source or free software.
