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Joined: Nov 2005
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Journeyman
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Hi - I have W7 and MS Office 10 Starter on my computer. I currently use MS Excel 2002 for my spreadsheet - which I like the most. But I see a need now to get up-to-date with Excel and the Starter version is too limited in features for my needs- so I'm looking into buying MS Office Home and Student 2013. I see that there are two "platform" options when buying the 1PC/1User version - "key card" and "digital download". Same price. HERE is a link to Amazon that shows both versions fyi. My question is, assuming I'll have the same software on my computer with either platform, what is the difference to me? What should I consider in picking one platform over the other? Pitfalls? Also - any other insight into this is welcomed. Thanks.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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I think the "key card" is only to activate the pre-installed office on a new computer: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/product-key-card-FX101850744.aspxI would go with the download option. However, with either version, it seems they are not allowing you to transfer it or install on more than one PC. If you buy it, install it on a PC and that PC dies, you are stuck! I wonder how Open Office is doing these days (or maybe http://www.libreoffice.org/ )
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Before you lay down your money, if you happen to work for a company that has support contracts with Microsoft, you should probably check out the Microsoft Home Use Program.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Also note that MS Office Home does not include Outlook...if you are a user of that particular mail client/personal organizer.
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2025, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Journeyman
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Thanks for the comments.
To Kemmrich - I see what you are saying. If I have Office 10 Starter, Maybe only and Office 10 Key Card will work. However, when I'm in an Office 10 Starter application and click to upgrade, I'm offered Office H&S 2013 in Key Card, so they must have a way for a 2013 Key Card to work with my 2010 Starter.
To Others - When I got my W7 computer I decided to go Office-free. I used the Open Office suite and Mozilla Thunderbird mail with Lightning calendar. They all work OK. Then I discovered that I could install my Office 2002 from my disks from my XP computer (yeah, disks) and now used Word and Excel which I like much more than Open Office. And Thunderbird is just fine for me.
But I consult with folks that use Excel and I just want to get up to date with them, and Excel 2010 and 2013 have some new features and functions I could use. So If I had my way, I'd just get Excel 2013. I'll be happy getting Office H&S 2013 for about $140.
Sooooo ----- I just want to know if there is an upside or down side to the Digital Download or Key Card approach.
Any other opinions
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Enthusiast
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Quote:
I think the "key card" is only to activate the pre-installed office on a new computer: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/product-key-card-FX101850744.aspx
I would go with the download option. However, with either version, it seems they are not allowing you to transfer it or install on more than one PC. If you buy it, install it on a PC and that PC dies, you are stuck! I wonder how Open Office is doing these days (or maybe http://www.libreoffice.org/ )
It was announced that microsoft is backing off of the original machine only rule. If your pc dies it looks like you can transfer the license.
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I use libre office everyday it is very capable
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Journeyman
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I appreciate all the responses - but no one is addressing my original question -
- assuming I'll have the same software on my computer with either the digital download or the key card, what is the difference to me? What should I consider in picking one platform over the other? Pitfalls?
Anyone?
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Expert
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Quote:
I appreciate all the responses - but no one is addressing my original question -
I've researched what I could for you. It looks like no one here has specific experience with buying the newest versions of office.
I just downloaded the newest version of LibreOffice. I don't know if I'll use it or not, but it does seem to read docx files just fine.
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Thanks Kemmrich - Like I said, I need Excel 10 or 13 only to smooth file trading with real companies I am dealing with and some of the advanced features will be helpful to me. If it weren't for that I'd stick with good old 2002.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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