WordPerfect Office 11 Standard

Although WordPerfect can't match Microsoft Office's 96 percent market saturation, this alternative office suite maintains a loyal, unwavering audience -- largely among legal, government, and OEM clients. True, this three-application collection -- containing a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation maker -- doesn't include an email client. But WordPerfect's enhanced XML support will appeal to businesses with heavy data-gathering requirements. So if you swear by WordPerfect or if your company needs XML integration and would rather not pay for Microsoft's Office 2003 Professional Edition, this suite is an attractive alternative to Microsoft's standard edition. Also, if your PC comes preloaded with Corel Office, give that suite a try before paying extra for Microsoft Office -- you may like what you find. On the downside, Corel offers only mediocre technical support, making the suite an acceptable but not inspiring choice for consumers and very small businesses.