Microsoft has announced how many chickens you’re going to have to cough up for the latest Office 2010. Prices are generally looking better than ever, especially with a new ‘product key card’ option for special digital purchases. Just be careful of the catch…
Office Home and Student 2010: Boxed RRP $209; Product Key Card RRP $169
Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
Office Home and Business 2010: Boxed RRP $379; Product Key Card RRP $269
Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook
Office Professional 2010: Boxed RRP $849; Product Key Card RRP $499
Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access
The Home and Business 2010 pricing is a big win over previous versions, at around $370 cheaper than comparable line ups of the past. Microsoft points this at the previous ‘Small Business 2007′ version, with Publisher switched out for OneNote. A damn fine switch for most purposes.
The new Product Key Card option is specifically described as “a single license card that lets you unlock Office 2010 software preloaded on new PCs from major PC manufacturers.”
The boxed copies of Office Home and Business 2010 and Office Professional 2010 actually allow for TWO installations, so the cheaper digital key is actually more expensive if you need to be using more than one copy.
Don’t be confused into thinking the digital key is effectively a ‘digital distro’ option, either. You can buy the ‘boxed’ version as a download, but still pay the full price. From what we can see, this product key version is very much focused on preload deals with hardware partners. It’s a fine deal for what it is — just understand that it is exactly what it is. Remember to be careful with all system restore discs for the computer it is preloaded on, and don’t expect to be able to transfer the license to another system should you upgrade and want to take your software with you.
We’ve asked Microsoft PR for a confirmation on whether this key is locked down tight. Maybe we’re wrong and this is essentially a ‘single user’ license versus the ‘two install’ license given to boxed copy buyers. We’ll update when we get official word.
Paul
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 11:53 AMBut I see advertised the home and student office 2007 for around $120 and that comes with word, excel, powerpoint and one-note with 3 licences and free copy of the 2010 version. Isn’t that a much better deal than what is here?
Max
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 1:13 PMYes…yes it is a better deal…Or if your a student (or even just have access to a .edu email) get 3-key copy from “it’s not cheating” for $75 plus free upgrade to 2010
Mike
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 10:38 AMAre you sure that the edu version from itsnotcheating is 3-key? I got it a few months ago and only received a single key.
Will
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 10:55 AM@Mike, Its a single key but you can legaly use it 3 times.
Hope this helps
Mike
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7:52 AMI don’t think so Will. From the itsnotcheating website:
“Product keys will be provided on the purchase confirmation page and sent to the user’s eligible educational institution email address entered into the Promotion web site during the purchase process. Product keys will be available for 2 installs for a desktop and mobile device.”