Windows 8 is poised to include Microsoft Office for free! Well, the Windows 8 RT version that comes on tablets will have free Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote This is the first time the Microsoft support crew has included its Office software for free. Sure, the Windows technical support guys have provided 30-day trials, but never a permanently free suite.
Desperation or good marketing? Tough question, but I presume a little of both. With the Apple support software, Microsoft Office is a third cheaper and may be used on other Macs outside of the network. Further, with Mac operating systems, you’re looking at just $30 for a new one. Windows operating systems are still hundreds of dollars. So, maybe Microsoft is feeling the consumer demand pinching them for more reasonable rates like for Apple service software. So, I’m leaning towards Microsoft feeling desperate and wanting to compete with Apple.
Don’t expect the free Microsoft Office suite to be full-blown software. Specifically, our PC experts have not heard that Outlook is included in this suite. That means you’ll have to purchase Outlook separately. Further, the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint included may be cloud apps and not full-featured computer applications.
I’m sure the price will be a bit bloated to account for this free software. Hopefully, not too much, but time will tell. For now, it looks like Windows RT can be a force to be reckoned with in regard to consumers jumping more on the Windows tablet bandwagon.
