Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

zigzag · Feb 22, 2004, 07:09 PM

My university offers a discounted version of Office X for Students (only $67; regular price is $149, even through Apple Edu.). However, the vendor indicates that it comes with no box or documentation - only a CD and a license.

My question is: will I still be eligible for the free upgrade to Office 2004? The upgrade coupon says a Certificate of Authenticity cut from the original box is required. But if I don't get a box with the discounted version, will I still get a COA?

The upgrade coupon also says that the upgrade offer is not valid for OEM, Volume License, and System Builder customers. Is the discounted educational version any one of these types?

I've called the vendor but they say they don't know whether I'd be eligible for the free upgrade or not. So I'm wondering if any one here knows. If I can save $82, I'll buy ya lunch.

Thanks in advance.

gorickey · Feb 22, 2004, 07:14 PM

I don't think you will be eligible, there again...it's not much of an "upgrade" it sounds like anyway...

zigzag · Feb 22, 2004, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by gorickey:
I don't think you will be eligible

You're probably right. It just occurred to me that even if I can't upgrade for free, I'll probably be able to buy 2004 for only another $68, so I'd still come out ahead.

there again...it's not much of an "upgrade" it sounds like anyway...

Probably right there too, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to get the new one for free, especially if it's more stable.

bbales · Feb 23, 2004, 08:27 AM

The March MacWorld takes an early look at Office 2004. On page 64 is pricing info. Says, if you buy Office v X before 6-30, the upgrade will cost little or nothing.; it will cost $90 to upgrade form the academic version which it what it sounds like you have. (It would be $120 to upgrade to the professonal version, which includes Virtual PC with Windows XCP Professional.)

Of course, if you wait until 2004 office comes out, the academic version will cost $149. Maybe you can just wait??? Don't know what your situation is.

I'm always suspicious of things that come without boxes and documentation,however.

zigzag · Feb 23, 2004, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by bbales:
The March MacWorld takes an early look at Office 2004. On page 64 is pricing info. Says, if you buy Office v X before 6-30, the upgrade will cost little or nothing.; it will cost $90 to upgrade form the academic version which it what it sounds like you have. (It would be $120 to upgrade to the professonal version, which includes Virtual PC with Windows XCP Professional.)

Of course, if you wait until 2004 office comes out, the academic version will cost $149. Maybe you can just wait??? Don't know what your situation is.

I'm always suspicious of things that come without boxes and documentation,however.

Right, but I'm talking about a special super-discounted academic version, not the regular $149 academic version. Odds are the super-discounted version won't be eligible for the upgrade - I suspect that without the box, it's treated like an OEM version, which is not eligible. Thanks though.