Price: $21.95 a month for dialup access; $9.95 a month/$79.95 a year for bring-your-own ISP
Microsoft finally has released a Macintosh version of its MSN software. After downloading the 21.7-megabyte package, the software installed quickly and within minutes had accessed MSN via an existing Road Runner cable modem connection. The MSN browser sports a Dashboard with quick links to your MSN e-mail account, address book, calendar, Messenger instant messaging and the MSN shopping, entertainment, money and learning portals. MSN's built-in browsing and e-mail were easy to use and comparable in speed to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, but things did slow down considerably on occasion. If you're looking for Internet access, MSN for Mac provides that plus access to members-only features and services, such as songs and other entertainment multimedia and Encarta online encyclopedia. Unfortunately, many of the online games wouldn't run on the Mac or required you to download additional plug-ins. For those who already have broadband Internet access, it may not be worth $9.95 a month for content that's similar to what you can find on the Internet for free.
