Microsoft Armed and Equipt

But once operational, Microsoft Equipt offers an interesting environment for software. Everything from Word to e-mail to online storage launches from a common window if you enable it. Equipt offers all of these tools in an easy-to-use and navigable way. Writing in Word is fast and stable. Sharing that document online in Microsoft Live Workspace is just as easy, as are online photo tools and chat functions. It's pretty darn -- dare I say it for a Microsoft product? -- slick.

And there is no beating the value here. For about $70 you not only get access to the Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft applications, but you also get OneCare, the security suite, and several other goodies. And you get it for three computers, or roughly $24 each a year. Not bad.

Now, Equipt is definitely not fully small-business ready. This product is targeted mostly at schools, homes and non-commercial use. Outlook, for example, is not included. Microsoft's stripped-down Microsoft Live Mail is the e-mail application here. And all this hip Web administration can be a brainteaser: Getting default programs to open attachments as you want them can be an issue. Keeping your accounts straight is an issue. And OneCare is absolutely not my first choice in terms of security and computer maintenance. It routinely scores lower than competitive products.

Still, there is a lot to like about Equipt. If you are in the market for computer software or administering a bunch of PCs in your home, give Equipt a test drive.