[jaimzedup]

I just bought an ibook and I need to install MS Office on it. I was going to buy Office 2004, but with the new year just around the corner, I was wondering if Office 2005 would be released soon. If so, what kind of improvements should I expect?

Should I just go ahead and get 2004?

[cpac]

there's no indication that there will be an Office 2005. Office v.X came out in 2001 - that's a 3 year product cycle, so you should probably just go ahead and buy Office 2004.

[jaimzedup]

Will do, thanks. Is the Apple store the cheapest place I can find it (Student & Teacher version)? They were listing it at $149 I think.

[-Q-]

What cpac said. They'll probably be a service pack for Office 2004, but we won't see another office for awhile.

[-Q-]

Originally posted by jaimzedup:
Will do, thanks. Is the Apple store the cheapest place I can find it (Student & Teacher version)? They were listing it at $149 I think.

Mac Zone has it for $134, but you'll have to pay shipping. Depending on tax, etc. it may or may not be cheaper to get it where you live rather than the 'net.

[jaimzedup]

Thanks. I found it on Amazon.com for $127.99 with free shipping!

In case anyone is interested:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...amp;s=software

Just to make sure: this is the same version that the apple store sells right?

[cpac]

Originally posted by jaimzedup:
Just to make sure: this is the same version that the apple store sells right?

Yep.

[Person Man]

Originally posted by -Q-:
What cpac said. They'll probably be a service pack for Office 2004, but we won't see another office for awhile.

Not to mention that they seem to be alternating between Windows and Mac releases, as in:

Mac Office 98
Windows Office 2000
Mac Office 2001
Windows Office XP (aka Office 2002)
Mac Office v. X
Windows Office 2003
Mac Office 2004

Each platform gets new features first in turn. (with the exception of XML and document encryption for now). In other words, Office 2003 had some new features in it that Office v. X did not have, but that Office 2004 has. Office 2004 has some new features in it that Office 2003 does not have.

So, I would expect a "Windows Office 2005" to come out first, and then the earliest new Mac Office we'd get would be "Mac Office 2006."

[jaimzedup]

Great info. Thanks for everyone's help.

[mchladek]

If you haven't purchased it yet, jaimzedup, it is a good idea to check with your school's bookstore or IT department first. I believe many colleges & universities, like mine, have a license agreement with Microsoft which allows students and faculty to purchase M$ software at an even greater discount. For example, I got the full version of Office 2004 for $70. Just something to check out.

[jaimzedup]

Originally posted by mchladek:
If you haven't purchased it yet, jaimzedup, it is a good idea to check with your school's bookstore or IT department first. I believe many colleges & universities, like mine, have a license agreement with Microsoft which allows students and faculty to purchase M$ software at an even greater discount. For example, I got the full version of Office 2004 for $70. Just something to check out.

thanks. I did check on my school's computer store website, but they listed the older version for $99. Now I don't know how updated the website it, but I figured $129 was a decent price for the 2004 version. The computer discounts at my school aren't so great. It's a private school and I don't think privates get the huge discounts that the public schools get.

edit: yes, i already did purchase it from amazon for $129 and free shipping.

[typoon]

From what I understand what M$ has been doing is they are staggering the releases. They started this back with Office 2001. They come out with a Mac version that has things the windows counterpart doesn't have then the next year they come out with a Windows version that has some stuff the Mac version doesn't have. The cycle keeps continuing. Next year their will most likely be a Windows version.