MSE: Is it REALLY that good?

Can I just point out that that on that page you linked to, MSE is beaten by complete suites? Thats a totally different ball game. MSE is NOT an entire Security suite, it is just an Anti-Virus. Those other suites come with loads of extra's which may or may not be necessary. (Note how it still beat several proper "Internet Security" suites as well though, including Norton)

If your asking for a personal opinion, I love MSE as an antivirus, because I don't ask it to do things it can't. It just sits there doing it's thing, and you don't even know its there unless you have a problem. MSE+Windows Firewal l+ a full scan with Malwarebytes once a month keeps my system in tip top shape.

For me, yes, it is that good.

I clicked the link you provided and read the report. One thing I could not deduce from the report is if MSE was the only tool users used on their systems.

For me, MSE is not the only product I use...
...I take care to not haphazardly click links in unsolicited emails or ads...
...I don't really "surf" in the truest sense -- there are really only a handful of sites I frequent. I'm not a "click-and-go" person...
...I have set up host files on my system (Hosts File : Use in Windows 7 / Vista and the program Spybot Search and Destroy has an option to insert/update host files)
...my pc is not a multi-user pc, meaning, I know intimately the history of web usage and downloading. (Even the multi-user pc I have set up in my house, MSE has protected that pc with no problems at all)

So, for me, again, yes it is that good. I have NEVER received an infection while using the product on any of my pcs.

MSE = Basic Protection
W7 Firewall = Basic Protection

In my own opinion, MSE is for light PC users. I'm on my PC doing College work, music, Facebook, etc etc. I need something more than basic. (See Sig)

According to whatever article/test results you read, ALL AV's have a different rating.

MSE has caught things on mine and other peoples that the "paid for" versions haven't.

The articles I've seen usually place MSE in the top 5 to 7. But like I said, depends on what article/test results you read.

As Deacon said, common sense helps out a lot too. If you go surfing for hacks, cracks and illegal software, "you takes your chances"