OUCH! Office 2007 Ultimate- $679, Vista Ultimate- $450

[hardcandy2]

For $1179, I can buy a nice computer, a commercial release of Linux with the non-opensource packages included, use Open Office (which is really nice to use compared to Microsoft Office) and have at least a couple of hundred dollars left over.
I realize we will probably not pay out for both Ultimates (Office and Vista) but I have to say I am not buying either one, I 'm really enjoying Suse 10.1 x86_64 on my computer and really only use WinXp for games now. Even that is fading as the Xbox 360 is getting more interesting these days.
And it seems those prices will kind of put a psychological speed bump in a lot of peoples' minds, and maybe some PC builders will think about switching to some alternatives.
I have to say I think Microsft is opening some doors pretty wide with this pricing and letting some alternatives to increase their share of the market.
IT Wire article

 

[Lord Banshee]

Well you could get the Office Home Edition which is said to be the same as the student 2003 (as what it includes and price) for 2007 which is almost exaclty as the Pro for 150 dollars.

Now Vista i do not think it will be over 250 dollars.. but i guess we'll wait and see.

But all i got to say good thing i am a Engineering student as we get all MS OS and 70% of their other software for free except for office lol 🙂

 

[spikespiegal]

So, you've picked the most expensive versions of either to compare to Open Source?

Full versions of Office 2003 Professional OEM that are actually legal tend to run about $275-300. Office 2007 Professional is reputed to be $500, but I'm guessing that will drop when it hits the streets.

As much as I consider MS office to be over-priced, my corporate users won't touch Open Office, nor am I considering migrating to Office 2007.

 

[stash]

I have to say I think Microsft is opening some doors pretty wide with this pricing and letting some alternatives to increase their share of the market.

Except 90+% of consumers don't buy the OS off the shelf. They get it with a computer they buy from an OEM. Which means most people will not be paying anywhere near full price for the OS.

 

[mechBgon]

Both products will also be supported by Microsoft until 2016, after which you're going to undoubtedly get discounted upgrade pricing for Office2016 and Windows Continuum (or whatever). It's not like all you get is an installation disc and a product key. 😉

edit: maybe 2017, actually. Depends when it hits the market.

 

[doornail]

Ultimate Editions exist to make the other versions appear less overpriced. People read headlines about $679 and then walk into Best Buy and see $299 and think, "Hey, what a deal."

That and some idiots actually will throw cash away on them because "it's the best!"

OpenOffice is just too convenient for me to even worry about MS Office anymore. No long, cryptic serial numbers to type in, no stupid activation hoops to jump through, and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

 

[mechBgon]

and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

And then you can spend the rest of your career manually patching them all when they need updates, instead of heaving the necessary patch into WSUS and going to get a cup of coffee while 1000+ machines patch themselves. Manageability is worth a lot over 5-10 years.

 

[hardcandy2]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

And then you can spend the rest of your career manually patching them all when they need updates, instead of heaving the necessary patch into WSUS and going to get a cup of coffee while 1000+ machines patch themselves. Manageability is worth a lot over 5-10 years.

Ever hear of Redhat or how about Novell's Zen? They both will help you set up network updates so your 1000+ do not have to reboot each time they are updated. I can't imagine how much reconfiguration is necessary if just 5% of those computer have problems rebooting. But since you are paying through the nose anyway, I imagine your IT staff costs are not so bad comapred to the license renewals fees.

 

[doornail]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

And then you can spend the rest of your career manually patching them all when they need updates, instead of heaving the necessary patch into WSUS and going to get a cup of coffee while 1000+ machines patch themselves. Manageability is worth a lot over 5-10 years.

I'm connected to a network that uses ZENworks 4 to manage about 26,000 desktops. Believe it or not, it works with non-Microsoft applications too! If you're going to deal with that many desktops, you'll want a better grip on application deployment than Windows AutoUpdate.

 

[spyordie007]

I dont know much about the Open Office patch structure but it wouldnt surprise me if you could patch deployments of it with SMS.

Of course MS Office gives you extra managability components in the enterprise enviroment such as group policy.

Both are good options.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: doornail

Originally posted by: mechBgon

and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

And then you can spend the rest of your career manually patching them all when they need updates, instead of heaving the necessary patch into WSUS and going to get a cup of coffee while 1000+ machines patch themselves. Manageability is worth a lot over 5-10 years.

I'm connected to a network that uses ZENworks 4 to manage about 26,000 desktops. Believe it or not, it works with non-Microsoft applications too! If you're going to deal with that many desktops, you'll want a better grip on application deployment than Windows AutoUpdate.

Sure, patch your AIP instead, then redeploy via Group Policy, if you like that better. You don't "deploy" Office with WSUS, hope it didn't sound like that's what I was implying.

 

[spikespiegal]

But since you are paying through the nose anyway, I imagine your IT staff costs are not so bad comapred to the license renewals fees.

(1) Novell is not free

(2) Neither is Zen Works

(3) The worse Windows runs, the better Novell looks, so there's a conflict of interest in managing Windows networks with Netware tools. Your company stuck in 1997 or something?

(4) I'd rather push down Windows OS/application updates via the native API then resort to a pile of scripted, resource hogging registry hacks, which is all Zen Works does. I've never seen the native Windows tools BSOD 5,000 workstations like I saw Zen Works do one time either.

(5) Novell / Windows hybrid environments cost more to maintain than any straight Windows backbone. I've migrated several that were 10,000+ user environments, and watched IT costs plummet when I put a bullet through the Novell servers and kicked the admins through the front door.

(6) This does not apply to pure Novell / Suse environments, which are a different beast than Novell/Windows.

 

[hardcandy2]

mistake

 

[hardcandy2]

This does not apply to pure Novell / Suse environments, which are a different beast than Novell/Windows.

This is what I was referring to, using Zenworks to update Suse and Openoffice versus Windows Update for Microsoft Office. Sometimes you do not have to reboot after an Office update, but if there are MS Office Security updates, then you do end up rebooting.

 

[Markbnj]

I agree with the OP's purchasing philosophy. For example, just last night I had the chance to buy a bag of regular Doritos for $3.99, but I chose, as I always do, to go with the Doritos Ultimate Enterprise for $238.45. They taste a lot like regular Doritos, but come with a toll-free number for enhanced support, and different packaging.

 

[remagavon]

Thank God I'm in college. If I end up still using windows by the time Vista goes to RTM, then I'll purchase it through those means, which should only be at most a couple hundred dollars. Sucks for those not able to get such discounts, though.

 

[shortylickens]

www.linux.com

No seriously though, you should ask yourself if you need a 600 dollar office suite. Corel makes one a lot cheaper and even though it might not have all the same features, I'd be willing to bet that it can satisfy you anyway.

The Open Office suite is probably more than enough for most folks, but it doesnt get nearly the same attention.

As far as the OS goes, well the only reason I even keep windows anymore is for game support. And since games have been on a downward spiral since the new millenium, I may just go for the Nix instead of Vista.

 

[Looney]

I doubt the average person wants Groove, Project Professional/Server, One Note, SharePoinit, etc... so they're not going to need Office 2007 Ultimate. I know i don't, all i want is Office 2007, and that's probably going to be around $300... similar to what the pricing is now. I'll get the student/education edition, which will knock off another $100 or so.

It's fine if you don't want to pay for Office or Vista, you can stick with 2003/XP, or go open source. Just like Porches may not for you, and you prefer a Civic.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

and I can load all the machines I like off the same CD (legally).

And then you can spend the rest of your career manually patching them all when they need updates, instead of heaving the necessary patch into WSUS and going to get a cup of coffee while 1000+ machines patch themselves. Manageability is worth a lot over 5-10 years.

WSUS, I have to admit it works pretty good. I was surprised considering the nightmares my former employer had rolling out SMS.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
www.linux.com

No seriously though, you should ask yourself if you need a 600 dollar office suite. Corel makes one a lot cheaper and even though it might not have all the same features, I'd be willing to bet that it can satisfy you anyway.

The Open Office suite is probably more than enough for most folks, but it doesnt get nearly the same attention.

As far as the OS goes, well the only reason I even keep windows anymore is for game support. And since games have been on a downward spiral since the new millenium, I may just go for the Nix instead of Vista.

You would be surprised how small pickings the cost of licensing can be when you are talking about revenue generating functions of a company.

So you roll out a foreign office package that nobody knows anything about. You save the 600 bucks a seat in licensing fee's then spend 1000 bucks a seat in training fee's. While that is happening you are having your revenue generating units lower productivity while they get used to working with new free office package and iron out bugs from old documents, presentations, and databases in the new suite. Then to top it off since none of your customers use this package your ability to communicate with them is compromised and it further hurts your sales.

In the end you realize the gamble wasnt worth it and you turn tail and reinstall the 600 dollar a seat license and continue with life, making money.

 

[pkme2]

I have recommended many of my clients to go back to college registering for a course. I have helped many get their academic software at prices much lower than retail. Savings up to 70% is very realistic. You can take online or night classes, but it makes you eligible for academic prices. All is needed is a student ID and registration verification.

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: shortylickens
www.linux.com

No seriously though, you should ask yourself if you need a 600 dollar office suite. Corel makes one a lot cheaper and even though it might not have all the same features, I'd be willing to bet that it can satisfy you anyway.

The Open Office suite is probably more than enough for most folks, but it doesnt get nearly the same attention.

As far as the OS goes, well the only reason I even keep windows anymore is for game support. And since games have been on a downward spiral since the new millenium, I may just go for the Nix instead of Vista.

You would be surprised how small pickings the cost of licensing can be when you are talking about revenue generating functions of a company.

So you roll out a foreign office package that nobody knows anything about. You save the 600 bucks a seat in licensing fee's then spend 1000 bucks a seat in training fee's. While that is happening you are having your revenue generating units lower productivity while they get used to working with new free office package and iron out bugs from old documents, presentations, and databases in the new suite. Then to top it off since none of your customers use this package your ability to communicate with them is compromised and it further hurts your sales.

In the end you realize the gamble wasnt worth it and you turn tail and reinstall the 600 dollar a seat license and continue with life, making money.

Genx87:

I agree with what you say from the business point of view, however on the HOME user side, I believe that Ubuntu Linux is really going to have an impact on the home based computer user. I am not saying that they are there YET but they are making very significant strides toward becoming a viable alternative to the M/S based home PC.

I believe that once Ubuntu becomes user friendly enough for the average computer user (i.e. they elminate the need for most terminal functioning by substitute GUI functions) and the computing public becomes aware of the existence of this FREE alternative to M/S, this O/S will take off as the system of choice for the home based user.

I could be wrong and only time will tell for sure, but FREE compared to several hundreds of dollars for a new O/S and office suite software and possibly a completely new hardware system (potentially a goodly number of hundreds of dollars) to run it, looms as a BIG incentive for trying Ubuntu.

Thanks.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: pkme2
I have recommended many of my clients to go back to college registering for a course. I have helped many get their academic software at prices much lower than retail. Savings up to 70% is very realistic. You can take online or night classes, but it makes you eligible for academic prices. All is needed is a student ID and registration verification.

This is VERY BAD advice. Not only could it get them in trouble but you could potentially get yourself in trouble for telling them it's okay (if it's a paying client).

The academic licenses are only okay to be used in the academic setting; if you use it for business you are in violation of the EULA. Just because a store will sell it to you if you have school ID doesnt make it okay, they are not the traffic cop.

http://www.msdnaa.net/EULA/NA/English.aspx

 

[pkme2]

If you are a registered student, you can use it for your needs. I'm not purporting that a corporation follow this route, but we have a large portion of our students who come back to school to better their standing in life. Whether you like it or not, that is the way life goes. There are many students who use their products for their classwork and use it for a home/business. Just saying there is a fine line that they can't. Its done everyday.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: pkme2
If you are a registered student, you can use it for your needs. I'm not purporting that a corporation follow this route, but we have a large portion of our students who come back to school to better their standing in life. Whether you like it or not, that is the way life goes. There are many students who use their products for their classwork and use it for a home/business. Just saying there is a fine line that they can't. Its done everyday.

I agree that this is not a black and white issue however your OP said that you were suggesting to clients that they register for a class at a school just so they can buy software at the academic costs and this is very bad advice.

It's one thing if they are going to school and just happen to have some incidental personal/business use. It's quite another if they take a class and use it as justification to get the software when they dont really use it much for school.

Regardless of how you buy licensing if you spend 90% of the time using it for business needs it's not a school purchase.