With the introduction of Microsoft Office, users now have several available options for Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint for free. Yes, you read correctly, Microsoft Office 2010 is free for users.
The very first option available to all users is Microsoft SkyDrive. SkyDrive is part of Micr
osoft’s cloud computing, and offers free versions of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Powerpoint to all users who have internet access. In addition to using their software for FREE, you can also save up to 25Gb of documents, excel files, pictures and more.
You get all the advantages of Microsoft Office with the convenience of online storage. Start working on your documents at work, and finish up at home without forgetting your thumb drive, or laptop, and CD. The service includes version tracking, collaboration and security. All you need is a Microsoft Live ID. Get yours now.
Second, some OEM new computers offer Microsoft Starter Edition. The starter edition of Microsoft Office allows you to work off-line/without the internet, and still access Excel and Word docuements.
This FREE version of Microsoft Office 2010 is available only on new computers, and currently isn’t available as a download. What’s the catch, well like most FREE stuff these days, there is a small sidebar with advertisements in the lower corner.
We recently purchased some new Lenovo computers, and the FREE versions of Word and Excel are fully functional. After about 2 minutes of working, I didn’t even notice the ad in the lower left corner. For users who simply use these two products, this is a great free alternative to purchasing a full version.
Microsoft doesn’t do everything right, but from time to time they do still surprise us. Give Microsoft SkyDrive a try, and if in the market for a new computer ask if it has the Microsoft Starter edition available.