If you bought a computer with a DVD burner thinking you were going to edit home movies or make custom CDs, you may need to
think again. Music-conversion and much other software bundled with today's computers are trial versions either watered down
from the beginning or programmed to stop working after a certain number of days unless you fork over more cash. The table
below identifies some typical starter programs and gives our advice on whether to upgrade or seek better alternatives. Software
is listed alphabetically.
| Software |
Found on |
What it does |
But |
Recommendations |
| Adobe Photoshop Album |
Compaq, HP |
Organize photos and view them as thumbnails. Crop, rotate, and remove red eye. Share and print photos. |
Some desirable features require upgrade to $50 full version. |
Check software bundled with your digital camera to see if it has features you need. |
| McAfee VirusScan 8.0 |
Dell |
Protects your computer from Internet viruses and worms. Must frequently download latest remedies. |
After three months, still runs but won't update virus definitions. Upgrading for a full year costs $35. |
If you qualify for $20 upgrade rebate, buy full retail version off the shelf. Otherwise, upgrade the software online. |
| Microsoft Office 2003 Trial |
HP, Compaq, eMachines, Gateway, Sony |
Popular office suite. Includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. |
Student/teacher trial version. After 60 days, disables itself. Upgrading to full version costs $150; to standard version,
$239 online or $300 to $400 in stores.
|
Free basic office software, such as Microsoft Works, may be all you need. For a full-featured word processor, opt for Microsoft
Works Suite, $50.
|
| Musicmatch |
Dell |
Music management for PC and MP3 players. Download music, convert from CDs to MP3 files, manage playlists. |
Can't record from external component, such as tape deck. Converts music more slowly than full version. Full version remedies
deficiencies, but costs $20 more.
|
Don't upgrade until you compare features with comparable free alternatives, such as Windows Media Player (bundled with Windows
XP) and iTunes.
|
| Norton Antivirus 2004 |
HP, Compaq, Dell, eMachines, Sony, Gateway |
Protects your computer from Internet viruses and worms. Must frequently download latest remedies. |
After two or three months, still runs but won't update virus definitions. Upgrading for a full year costs $30 to $50, depending
on version.
|
If you qualify for $20 upgrade rebate, full retail version is the cheapest way to go. Otherwise, upgrade the software online. |
| Paint Shop Photo Album |
Dell |
Organize photos and view as thumbnails. Crop, rotate, and remove red eye. Share and print photos. |
After 2 months, lose ability to make Video CD, adjust images, special effects, add audio, or make movie. To keep features:
$30 (download) or $40 (CD and manual).
|
Check software bundled with your digital camera to see if it has features you need. |
| Quicken 2004 New User Edition |
HP, Compaq, Sony, Toshiba, Apple |
Balances checkbook, prints checks, creates reports and graphs, downloads bank statements. |
Existing Quicken users can't import data without full version. To plan for retirement or to analyze taxes, you must buy Deluxe
for $40 to $60.
|
To use existing Quicken data without upgrade costs, install your old version. Or choose Microsoft Money if it's offered free
with the new PC.
|
| Sonic RecordNow! |
HP, Compaq, Dell, eMachines, Sony |
Create audio and data CDs. Copies existing CDs. |
Can't convert music on CD to MP3, backup to CD, or edit videos. Dell's version limits CD burning. Deluxe costs $50. |
Before upgrading to Deluxe, check software you own for needed features. Windows Media player, iTunes, or Musicmatch provide
CD to MP3 conversion.
|
