Microsoft Office: Ultimate VS. Home & Student?!?

Question

Ok so I need to buy Microsoft Office for my computer but unfortunately, my university doesn't offer the free software, only discounts.

I recently found that I could get Home & Student plus backup software for $95, which compared to other places is actually the cheapest. (Amazon doesn't offer the backup software)

But, I am eligible through Microsoft to download Office Ultimate for plus the backup for $72....

Should I just get the Office Ultimate or is there no point and I should just get Home & Student? I'm not really sure the big differences except that Ultimate seems to have more programs...

Answer 1

openoffice,its just like msoffice but free http://openoffice.org

Answer 2

If Ultimate really is cheaper than the Student version, I would buy the Ultimate version.  During installation, you have the option of installation only the programs that you want.  Say you want only Word and Excel - you can uncheck everything else like Powerpoint, Frontpage, Access, etc.  Just because they offer it as an installation doesn't mean you have to install them.  However, having more programs available to you is always better.

Answer 3

Unless you need some esoteric features on MS Office, save your hard-earned money and download Open Office instead. It's free, compatible with MS Office formats. The office suite has a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation program (like powerpoint) and a few others besides.