Upgrading from MS Works to Office 2003

[suealpha]

I am awaiting delivery of a laptop and a desktop computer, both of which come with MS Works preinstalled. I am looking into the least expensive way of equipping both computers with MS Office and have come across the following: "Microsoft Office 2003 Standard Edition - Upgrade (Reference #P-831944) Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2003 Standard Edition from previous versions or Microsoft Works. Requires Windows 2000, XP. " (The price is �179 including VAT.) I presume for licence purposes I need two of these packs if they are suitable. Can anyone give me a confident assurance that this is or is not the most suitable product for my needs?

[camioneur]

Well I wouldn't touch them. They're far too expensive and the worrying thing is that Office is not a Works upgrade. If you haven't got office then an office update won't do anything for you. What you need is a stand alone copy of Microsoft Office 2003. One copy will be adequate for all your computers.Mail me [email protected] if you need a copy and I'll point you in the right direction

[fo3nix]

You could try OpenOffice instead:
http://www.openoffice.org/

It's totally free, and has a very similar interface to Word and Excel etc. It's about 95% compatible with Microsoft Office and growing, so unless you do unusal high-end things with Office, you will probably find it works perfectly well for your needs. It even has some extras in it that Microsoft doesn't have.

[vehelpfulguy]

The cheapest way to get Office 2003 is the Student and Teacher edition.

Not sure what proof is required but it is only 75 pounds from Amazon, and you can put it on 3 PCs.

It comes with Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.

You can buy it from Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000BZ54S/ 026-7045843-2227642?v=glance&n=300435

[vehelpfulguy]

I have to disagree with camioneur.

It looks like the version of Office 2003 you mention CAN be an upgrage from MS Works.

But I do agree with camioneur, Office 2003 is overpriced for the average home user who may only use a few features.

See if you can get the Student & Teacher version I mention above.

As has been said, there are a number of FREE office packages around.

[jenson65]

try www.ashampoo.com i got office 2005 the other day for �2.60p and its just as good as microsoft office

[fo3nix]

jenson: ashampoo's office product doesn't seem to do anything that OpenOffice doesn't do, and I guarantee that OpenOffice is developed a lot more, as well as being free.

[jenson65]

thank you for the advice fo3nix