Mac OS X is renowned for its simplicity, its reliability, and its ease of use. So when it came to designing Snow Leopard, Apple engineers had a single goal: to make a great thing even better. They searched for areas to refine, further simplify, and speed up from little things like ejecting external drives to big things like installing the OS. In many cases, they elevated great to amazing. Installation DVD Printed and electronic documentation

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMMac OS X Snow Leopard is built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability as well as industry-leading support for Internet standards, Improvements include a more responsive Finder, new look and features for Exposé and Stacks, quicker Time Machine backup, faster common tasks and installation, a smaller install footprint, and plenty more, New core technologies unleash the power of today's advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation: 64-bit computing, multicore-optimization, OpenCL, QuickTime X, and more, With virtually no effort on your part, Mac OS X protects itself--and you--from viruses, malicious applications, and other threats, Mac OS X Snow Leopard includes built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use Mail, iCal, and Address Book at home and at work
Company: Apple (2009-08-28)
List Price: $29.00
Amazon Price: $24.00
Used Price: $25.00

Windows Vista Ultimate is the flagship edition of Windows Vista across consumer and small business desktop PCs and mobile PCs. The primary user of Windows Vista Ultimate is the individual, such as a small business owner, who has a single PC to use both at home and at work. This edition includes all of the features available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Enterprise. Windows Vista Ultimate is the first operating system that combines the advanced infrastructure of a business-focused operating system, the productivity of a mobility-focused operating system, and the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For users who want their PC to be great for working at home, on the go, and at the office, Windows Vista Ultimate is the no-compromise operating system that provides it all.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMMobility-based operating system meets all your computing needs whether you're working from home, working on the road, or searching for entertainment options, Combines all the features of a business-focused operating system, all the efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system, Remotely connect to business networks; Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides improved levels of protection against theft for your important business data whether you are at home, on the road, or in the office, Delivers all of the entertainment features available in Windows Vista Home Premium; includes everything you need to enjoy the latest in digital photography, music, movies, analog TV, or even HDTV, Ideal for both business and home entertainment use
Company: Microsoft Software (2007-01-30)
List Price: $399.95
Amazon Price: $109.99
Used Price: $87.00

Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2 ofers you greater flexibility and more options, when creating those great digital projects. The Service Pack is filled with updates that make XP even better!

CD-ROM: CD-ROMEligibility for upgrade consists of current users of Windows 98/Windows 98 SE and Windows ME only, Create and enjoy home movies with the built-in Video support, Share your video project with the easy E-mail attachment & mass-mailing features, Go Mobile with the ability to Communicate anytime, anywhere, Discover and Download online music, with the easy-to-use Internet features
Company: Microsoft Software (2004-09-28)
List Price: $99.99
Amazon Price: $122.99
Used Price: $89.88

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional includes all the Home Premium features you love and the business features your work demands. Connect to company networks easily and more securely and share files across the various PCs in your home. In addition, you can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover your data easily with automatic back-ups to your home or business network. The Professional edition of Windows 7 is designed to meet the needs of business and home use alike. It omits none of the features that are found in the Home Premium edition of the software. These include improved desktop navigation, improved speed, the Internet Explorer 8 web browser, Windows Media Center and HomeGroup networking.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMWindows 7 Professional (includes 32 & 64-bit versions) lets you run Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode, recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network, connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely, Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation; start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often, Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8, Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV on your PC, Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup
Company: Microsoft Software (2009-10-22)
List Price: $299.99
Amazon Price: $250.00

Ubuntu gives users an operating system that is perfect for laptops and desktops and allows users to surf the web, read email, create documents and spreadsheets, edit images and much more. Take your old computer and give it a new life with Ubuntu. There's so much to like about Ubuntu, it's hard to know where to begin. I've now got two Linux machines that are purring along and doing exactly what they should without throwing me any curveballs. Getting Started Technical Support: 60 days of unlimited customer support.

CD-ROM: CD-ROMFull functioning version of Ubuntu Hardy Herron 8.04, Getting Started Technical Support -- 60 days of unlimited customer support, FireFox - Safe, Easy and Tabbed Web Browsing, OpenOffice - A Complete Productivity Suite, Evolution -- Simple Email & Calendaring, Gaim -Instant Messaging Compatible with AOL, Yahoo, MSN and others, F-spot - Easy Editing and Uploading of Photos, Gimp -- A Powerful Graphics Program, Compatible with Intel-based MACs and PCs.
Company: Valusoft (2008-05-06)
List Price: $19.99
Amazon Price: $1.98

With Windows 7 Professional, fewer walls stand between you and your success. You can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network. You can also connect to company networks effortlessly and more securely with Domain Join. With all the exciting entertainment features of Windows Home Premium, it’s a great choice for home and for business.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMWith True Enhanced Performance., Latest Technical Development.
Company: Microsoft Software (2009-10-22)
List Price: $169.00
Amazon Price: $129.99

If you're already running XP or Vista, you probably know some of the many benefits of being a Windows user. Now, with the Upgrade Version of the latest Windows edition, you can get current with all the best new and classic features of the world's most popular operating system, all without paying the full price for the new version.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMWindows 7 Home Premium (includes 32-bit & 64-bit versions) makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music--you can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV, Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation, Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often, Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8, Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup
Company: Microsoft Software (2009-10-22)
List Price: $119.99
Amazon Price: $107.58

Provided you have a Pentium-class system, Macmillan's The Complete Linux Operating System 6.5 offers a path to Linux that offers easy installation, dual-boot access to Windows, and an excellent 3,500-page electronic reference. Based on the popular Mandrake distribution of Linux, this software/book CD bundle offers a solid option for trying out--and mastering--the details of Linux.

Ease of installation is a standout here, with a simple and graphical installation wizard. (The featured Mandrake distribution has scored points with the Linux community for ease of configuration and its compatibility with Red Hat.) For those users who want to run Windows and Linux together, a version of PowerQuest's PartitionMagic allows you to create a Linux partition. (You'll need to upgrade to the full version of PartitionMagic to install onto Windows NT NTFS partitions, however.)

The version of Linux with this package is the K Desktop Environment (KDE)--an attractive desktop manager--with an option to use GNOME (and other desktops). KDE, with its slick, intuitive look and feel, is arguably a good choice for the Windows user tackling Linux for the first time. This package features a number of utilities for text and image editing.

A standout feature here are the five electronic books included on a CD-ROM of "extras." These titles include three well-known texts on Linux, KDE 1.1, and GIMP from SAMS "Teach Yourself in 24 Hours" series. RedHat Linux Unleashed and Que's Using Linux Special Edition round out the available information. Armed with these electronic titles, which add up to some 3,500 pages of information, any newbie can master the ins and outs of the Linux OS.

In all, this package is a good choice for anyone who wants to run Linux on a Pentium-class system. Expert users of Linux who want to tweak every setting probably won't appreciate the ease of installation offered here, but many potential users will, making this product a good choice for getting up and running with a powerful version of today's Linux. --Richard Dragan

CD-ROM: 3.5 inch diskette
Company: Macmillan USA
List Price:
Amazon Price: $99.99
Used Price: $2.50

With Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System Software, you'll get the best entertainment experience on your PC!. Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, and rewind TV or record it to watch whenever and wherever you want.* For the best entertainment experience on your PC, choose Windows 7 Home Premium.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMWindows 7 Home Premium (includes 32-bit & 64-bit versions) makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music--you can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV, Make the things you do every day easier with improved desktop navigation, Start programs faster and more easily, and quickly find the documents you use most often, Make your web experience faster, easier and safer than ever with Internet Explorer 8, Easily create a home network and connect your PCs to a printer with HomeGroup
Company: Microsoft Software (2009-10-22)
List Price: $199.99
Amazon Price: $179.98

Windows Vista Ultimate is the flagship edition of Windows Vista across consumer and small business desktop PCs and mobile PCs. The primary user of Windows Vista Ultimate is the individual, such as a small business owner, who has a single PC to use both at home and at work. This edition includes all of the features available in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Enterprise. Windows Vista Ultimate is the first operating system that combines the advanced infrastructure of a business-focused operating system, the productivity of a mobility-focused operating system, and the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For users who want their PC to be great for working at home, on the go, and at the office, Windows Vista Ultimate is the no-compromise operating system that provides it all.

DVD-ROM: DVD-ROMMobility-based operating system meets all your computing needs whether you're working from home, working on the road, or searching for entertainment options, Combines all the features of a business-focused operating system, all the efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system, Remotely connect to business networks; Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption provides improved levels of protection against theft for your important business data whether you are at home, on the road, or in the office, Delivers all of the entertainment features available in Windows Vista Home Premium; includes everything you need to enjoy the latest in digital photography, music, movies, analog TV, or even HDTV, Upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 (including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows 2000)
Company: Microsoft Software (2007-01-30)
List Price: $259.95
Amazon Price: $56.95
Used Price: $50.00