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kelso Offline OP
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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

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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.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/ )


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
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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.


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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.


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kelso Offline OP
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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

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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


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Rob you have a PM.


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kelso Offline OP
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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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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.


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
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kelso Offline OP
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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

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