01-21-2008, 03:17 PM

Im about to redeem my free upgrade from office 2004, do you think its better to get A the special media eidtion with one license, or B the student/home edition with 3? Im the only one thats going to use the software but if i choose option A does that mean I have to re-buy the software if i ever get a new computer? What are the main differences between the media and home edition? thanks.

01-21-2008, 03:22 PM

I'm not sure you have a choice in which upgrade you get for free...good luck with that.
You will need to re-buy if you want to install the software on more computers than the license states. You won't need to re-buy of you buy a new computer to replace your old one. Simply uninstall from the old and reinstall on the new. If you get an additional computer you should rebuy.
Best to ask Microsoft your last question:
Compare.
But it appears to me that you get "iLife"-copycat with the Media edition.
I'd say, if you are a student, get the student version.

01-21-2008, 03:24 PM

Only microsoft would attempt to confuse you with multiple versions of its software

There are 3 versions of office for mac, while iwork is just that, everybody gets the ful version

the only plus for the media version is that it includes Microsoft Expression Media to manage your photos video and music

but you already have iPhoto and itunes, so the media edition is pretty pointless IMO

01-21-2008, 03:55 PM

thanks for the link neo but those dont appear to be the options you have when upgrading

ya it is confusing, especially since according to the microsoft page where you redeem the offer i only have two options, this is straight from the page:

OPTION ONE: Send me Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition (includes 1 license for business or personal use, also includes Exchange Server support , additional Automator Actions plus Microsoft Expression Media for Mac)
OPTION TWO: Send me Office 2008 for Mac Home and Student Edition (includes 3 licenses for home or non-commercial use only; does NOT include Exchange Server support or Automator Actions) + Microsoft Expression Media for Mac

Apparently they both come with the Expression Media. But ya I think your right I wouldn't use them over itunes/iphoto anyway. So if the text I copied from microsoft is wrong, and the home/student eddition doesnt come with the meida package, is that the ONLY difference? And I was right when I said I wouldnt be able to install it if I got a new computer if I just had 1 license right? thanks again

01-21-2008, 05:10 PM

It all comes down to two things, whether you need Exchange support and how many machines you want to install it on. If you need Exchange, then you really only have the first option. If not, then go with the Student option as it lets you install it on up to three machines.

Don't worry about not being able to port your license over to a new machine. All you need to do is make sure you remove it from the first computer before installing it on the second.

01-21-2008, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by shusty

Im about to redeem my free upgrade from office 2004, do you think its better to get A the special media eidtion with one license, or B the student/home edition with 3? Im the only one thats going to use the software but if i choose option A does that mean I have to re-buy the software if i ever get a new computer? What are the main differences between the media and home edition? thanks.

Technically you are supposed to have a different license for each computer it is installed on. That being said MS does not have an activation scheme in place for Office 2008 so with that in mind you can make your decision. If you simply want to install it on YOUR own computers all in the same household I wouldn't feel too bad about doing it with one license. I'm not telling you what to do by any means or implying that I would do this personally. hope this helps.

01-21-2008, 09:52 PM

thanks for the replies.