Some people think Vista’s Flip 3D was developed as a response to Mac OS X’s Exposé. Exposé shrinks all of the windows and moves them so that each window is visible. This method uses the entire screen and does not hide any windows. In my opinion this is much more useful.

After building a new computer, I was looking for programs to make the most of my new rig. I stumbled upon a YouTube video showing an Exposé clone for Windows. After researching and trying a few Exposé clones, I decided to write up a review comparing the three best. The three I’m reviewing are: TopDesk by Otaku Software, My Exposé by Simon Ferquel, and Switcher by Bao Nguyen.

Here is what these programs must sort:

TopDesk

Check it out:

TopDesk has three modes:
Grid:

Spatial:

Flip:

TopDesk can be used with any version of Windows XP or Windows Vista.  TopDesk has many options to customize.  You can change the settings to increase performance, or to conserve computer resources.     Overall the program runs smoothly on my setup even with its most demanding settings.  TopDesk has multi-monitor support, although it did have trouble drawing my background on my left monitor. This can be seen in the screen shot above.

The Good:

1. TopDesk has three modes of operation.
2. TopDesk is the only one of the three being reviewed that can be used on XP and Vista Basic.
3. TopDesk has many options for customization and resource management.

The Bad:

1. TopDesk is a resource hog!  At it’s highest setting it cruses along using 300-500MB of RAM all the time!
2. TopDesk doesn’t run using Vista’s Aero.  This means it doesn’t have “Live Thumbnails.”
3. TopDesk costs 20 bucks!

Final Verdict:

TopDesk’s cons out-weigh its pros.  Unless you have XP or Vista Basic, I’d pass this one up.

My Exposé

Check it out:

My Exposé has one mode of operation:

My Exposé is an open source (free) Exposé Clone.  It’s extremely simple with one mode of operation.  It is built on Vista’s Aero interface.  This means any videos will be playing even as the windows are animating.  It runs very smoothly.  My Exposé does has a couple of problems.  In fact, it wouldn’t even run on my current setup.  First it won’t run on 64-bit versions of Vista.  Second it won’t work with a multi-monitor setup that has a secondary monitor on the left of the primary monitor. It took editing of the source and recompiling before I could get it to run.  Once working it worked very satisfactory.

The Good:

1. My Exposé runs on Vista’s Aero Interface.
2. My Exposé is open source. (Great for developers like me!)
3. My Exposé is extremely simple and looks great.
4. My Exposé uses much less resources.  It runs with about 50MB of RAM.

The Bad:

1. My Exposé has some fatal issues that need addressing.
2. My Exposé isn’t as customizable as the others.
3. My Exposé doesn’t run on XP or Vista Basic.

Final Verdict:

My Exposé is worth a download if you want a good simple Exposé clone.  Be warned that it won’t run if you’re using 64bit Vista or using certain multi-monitor setups.

Switcher

Check it out:

Switcher has three modes:
Tile:

Dock:

Grid:

Switcher is an awesome freeware program.  It has three modes of operation.  The one mode that might need a bit of explaining is Dock view.  Dock view throws all of the windows to the top of the screen.  As you hover over each window, the window expands and fills the main area.  Like My Exposé, Switcher uses Vista’s Aero interface giving live thumbnails to each window.  Switcher is the only one of the three that works well with multi-monitors.  Like TopDesk there are many settings to play around with. One great feature is the ability to search for windows.  Once Switcher is activated, you can just start typing.  As you type, windows that do not match fade and shrink, while windows that do match grow.

The Good:

1. Switcher uses Vista’s Aero Interface
2. Switcher uses the least resources.  Only 10MB of RAM!
3. Switcher has a search feature.
4. Switcher has many options to play with.
5. Switcher has Multi-Monitor support.
6. Switcher’s Dock view is a nice addition.
7. Switcher is free!

The Bad:

1. None of Switcher’s modes layout the windows as well as My Exposé
2. Switcher doesn’t run on XP or Vista Basic.

Final Verdict:

Switcher uses the least resources while having the most features and coolest modes.  It’s definitely my pick for best Exposé clone.