Windows Vista RC2

Preview We think the overall quality of this Windows Vista Ultimate edition is not deserving of final release candidate status, and we expect to see at least one more interim build -- or perhaps even another release candidate -- soon.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Developer's Release

Preview Ordinary users, as well as developers, will find interesting new features within the Developer's Release build of Apple's next operating system.

VMware Infrastructure 3 review

Review By extending and building on the production-quality virtualisation technology of ESX Server, VMware Infrastructure 3 further consolidates the company’s position at the top of the virtual server tree.

Inside Windows Vista RC1

Photos Check out the latest features in Windows Vista RC1 (build 5564).

Windows Vista RC1 (build 5564)

Preview Windows Vista RC1 (build 5564) should mark the final stretch for Microsoft's new operating system, but don't be surprised if Microsoft issues one more public release candidate before making Windows Vista final.

A guide to handheld operating systems

Buyer's Guide If you're choosing a handheld or a smartphone, the operating system can be as important as the hardware. Here's a tour of the four main contenders.

Inside Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Photos Take a first look at some of the new features in the next version of Apple's operating system.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: a first look

Preview Although it won't ship until spring 2007, Steve Jobs has given a public preview of Apple's next operating system.

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution 2.0 review

Review This is a deceptively simple application virtualisation tool that, once you appreciate what it does, quickly becomes indispensable.

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.

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 review

Review This is an effective server virtualisation tool, now available as a free download. However, Linux support is limited, and overall it’s not quite a match for VMWare.

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS review

Review Ubuntu is a powerful, free, ready-to-run desktop Linux distribution that's eminently suitable for mainstream use. Although the complexities of the system impose a steep learning curve on Windows users who plan to support an installation themselves, our experiences with version 6.06 LTS suggest that this is manageable.

Inside Windows Vista beta 2

Photos Microsoft has released the first public beta of its new Windows Vista operating system. Here's a screenshot gallery showing some of the key features.

Windows Vista beta 2: a first look

Preview Microsoft has released the first public beta of its new Windows Vista operating system.

Apple Boot Camp (beta)

Preview Apple gives the people what they want: Windows on Macs. Geeks proved it could be done through a variety of complicated hacks; now Apple has made it straightforward with a free download. We take Boot Camp for a test run.