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Instant Messengers Grow Up and Go to Work

Microsoft's MSN Messenger 7.5 ranks highest among free instant messaging packages, with Qnext's 2.1.0.46 beta not far behind.

Laura Blackwell

Wednesday, January 04, 2006, 03:00 PM PST
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Test Center About the Test Center • How We Test
What Our Ratings Mean • How the Charts Work • Service & Reliability Methodology
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Use the Check Boxes to See a Side-by-Side Comparison
Rank Name PCW Rating
PID
1
MSN Messenger 7.5
MSN Messenger 7.5
• Voice quailty: Superior
• Video quality: Very Good
• Startup time: Very Good
• Free
Download MSN Messenger
Always-intelligible audio sets this easy-to-use IM client above the rest. You can check Hotmail from it, too.
(Last Rated: December 16, 2005)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
2
Qnext 2.1.0.46 Beta
Qnext 2.1.0.46 Beta
• Voice quality: Good
• Video quality: Good
• Startup time: Fair
• Free
Download Qnext
This universal messenger connects to major networks, and peer-to-peer Zones let Qnext subscribers share content.
(Last Rated: December 16, 2005)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
3
Google Talk Beta
Google Talk Beta
• Voice quality: Good
• Video quality: n/a
• Startup time: Superior
• Free
Download Google Talk
Simple design and speedy startup make this basic client easy to use. Works with Jabber/XMPP-based clients.
(Last Rated: December 16, 2005)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
4
Yahoo Messenger with Voice 7.0.0.437
Yahoo Messenger with Voice 7.0.0.437
• Voice quality: Fair
• Video quality: Good
• Startup time: Very Good
• Free
Download Yahoo Messenger
Features and customization options abound in this fast-loading client. So do program windows and bundled software.
(Last Rated: December 16, 2005)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
5
Trillian Basic 3.1, Build 121
Trillian Basic 3.1, Build 121
• Voice quality: Poor
• Video quality: Good
• Startup time: Good
• Free
Download Trillian Basic
Tabbed interface lets you track different conversations on several networks. Wikipedia lookup adds context.
(Last Rated: December 16, 2005)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
Compare
Use the Check Boxes to see a Side-by-Side Comparison
CHART NOTES: Ratings are as of 12/28/05. Versions are those most recently available as of 11/10/05.
Next page: Instant Messengers Grow Up and Go to Work (Page 2)

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