Quantcast

The 100 Best Products of 2006

Powerful computers, handy services, tiny utilities, mammoth HDTVs--our editors' top picks include all these and a whole lot more. Plus: the worst products of all time.

Alan Stafford

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Best Products: 51-60

51. StumbleUpon
Browser Add-On (free) When you click a toolbar button in Firefox, it will transport you to a random site that fits your preferences. Web Site

52. NoScript 1.1.4
Browser Add-On (free) Block hazardous JavaScripts site-by-site in Firefox (the browser itself blocks either all JavaScripts or none). Review

53. Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5
Antispyware ($30) Spy Sweeper catches more stuff than its competitors do, and it provides sound advice on which adware and spyware pieces to remove. Review | Latest Prices

Click for enlarged view.

Photograph: Marc Simon
54. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
Keyboard ($60) An ergonomically optimized keyboard, the Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 swells upward in the middle so you can position your hands and wrists naturally. Review | Latest Prices

55. Western Digital Raptor X
Hard Drive ($400) Though the Raptor X has just 150GB of storage space, it's the fastest hard drive we've tested. Its see-through window lets you watch it work (if your PC's case has a window, too). Review | Latest Prices

56. Yahoo Maps (Beta)
Online Mapping (free) Yahoo Maps--the version still in beta--provides great directions, and allows you to determine the route you want to use by setting waypoints. Review

57. Intuit Quicken Premier 2006
Personal Finance ($80) Quicken has its annoyances--particularly its shameless marketing pitches--but the latest version lets you attach electronic images of canceled checks or statements. Review | Latest Prices

Western Digital Raptor X, ATI Radeon X1900 XTX

Photograph: Marc Simon
58. ATI Radeon X1900 XTX
Graphics Board ($600) Cards based on ATI's X1900 XTX chip and on nVidia's GeForce 7900 GTX chip (#92) compete for the fastest gaming performance. We think the ATI board delivers slightly better image quality, hence its higher ranking. Review | Latest Prices

Click for enlarged view.59. Javacool EULAlyzer Personal 1.1
License Analyzer (free) We're always urging you to read the end-user license agreements that pop up when you install software--but who has the time or the legal background to read and understand end-user license agreements? Just copy and paste EULAs into EULAlyzer, and it will tell you whether you're getting into something dubious. Review

60. Eizo FlexScan S2410W
24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor ($1700) This is the first 24-inch display to take color as seriously as a graphics professional does. Its flat, touch-sensitive electrostatic switches are much more comfortable to use than buttons. Review | Latest Prices

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

"The 100 Best Products of 2006" Comments

Featured APC Accessories

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

Deal Breakers

Special Offers for PC World Users

People who read this also read:

  • 15 Minutes to a Secure Business Get the Secure in 15 toolkit starting with the "15 Minutes Month-at-a-Glance" calendar. McAfee will send you additional tools and tricks to stay protected around the clock.
  • A Buyer's Guide to Data Protection Implementing data protection products and processes can be daunting. Make the right decisions by exploring what is available and what makes sense for your organization. Use this simple guide to evaluate different vendor offerings.

Sponsored Links