Office Upgrade questions

[scifi451]

I am looking into getting Office for OS X since I recently got a new powerbook.

I am wondering what are the differences between the student version of Office and the home one? besides the price.

Is it true that on the student one you can only install it on three computers that I have? How about home?

If I get the student one will I be eligible to buy the upgrade package later for a newer version of office?

Any other differences I should know about?

 

[Daveman Deluxe]

With the standard version, you are allowed to run it on only one computer at a time. Office will actually check over your network to make sure there isn't another copy running at the same time. You can also purchase future upgrades at a reduced price.

With the student version, you can run it on three computers at once, but it will check across the network to make sure you aren't trying to run it on four computers. However, you will not be eligible to purchase future upgrades.

I bought the student version and am muy happy.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Originally posted by Daveman Deluxe
With the standard version, you are allowed to run it on only one computer at a time. Office will actually check over your network to make sure there isn't another copy running at the same time. You can also purchase future upgrades at a reduced price.

With the student version, you can run it on three computers at once, but it will check across the network to make sure you aren't trying to run it on four computers. However, you will not be eligible to purchase future upgrades.

I have 3 networked computers in my house and It has never checked to see if I have more than one running.

 

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Daveman Deluxe
With the student version, you can run it on three computers at once, but it will check across the network to make sure you aren't trying to run it on four computers. However, you will not be eligible to purchase future upgrades.

The last I heard, Apple was saying that the student version could not be upgraded, but Microsoft itself hadn't actually said it. Was this issue settled? It is a moot point if cheap student versions remain available - you could just buy the new student version. But if the price goes up, this could be an issue later, so it's good to ask now.

 

[Horrortaxi]

I have the full version of Office X and it does check to see if it is already running. I never realized it did it until I actually (accidently) tried to run it on 2 computers at a time.

I have what might be a unique point of view on Office updates. Why bother? I've used MS Word since aout 1993, and owned Office 95, 97, and XP. Well, okay, I "owned" 95 and 97 if you know what I'm saying. Anyway, Word, Powerpoint, and Excel haven't changed much in the last 10 years. Office 97 is still as good now as it was when new (and only had minor improvements over 95). Updates are strictly a money maker for Microsoft.

The new version is a little scary to me. The only real change is the file format--xml, right? This is what I've heard. If that's the case, all it will do is make older versions obsolete so everybody has to upgrade. It's not a functional thing for the user--it's a money maker for Microsoft. Then there's the Office/VPC bundle. That one really worries me. Buy an office suite for you Mac and get Windows for you Mac too? Who does this benefit? Hint: Probably not you.

Also, Microsoft now limits how long you have to upgrade (on all products but Windows). If you miss the (short) upgrade window you have to buy the full version again anyway.

If you have to use Office, get whatever version you can pay the least for. Don't pay more for an upgrade path that you don't need. But before you buy Office, check out Open Office (free) and Appleworks (under $100). They do all the same things and are compatible with Office.