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How much should Microsoft charge for its Home software subscription?

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zridling:
Two weeks ago, Microsoft announced it would start testing a software subscription that combines its OneCare anti-virus package, the home version of its Office suite, and some other features in one package, called Albany.

Microsoft doesn't answer the biggest question about the bundle: how much it will cost?



Right now OneCare has a list price of $50 a year, and Microsoft Office Home and Student lists for $150 in the version you can use forever, and is licensed for three PCs. (Amazon is currently selling a one-year OneCare subscription for $30 and the home Office version for $120.) The news release (linked above) says that Albany also includes Microsoft Live Mail, Messenger and Photo Gallery, services that are already free. In any case, how much would this package be worth to you? Assume that Microsoft upgrades Office every three years. So for people who wanted the most up-to-date version, the list price of $150 for the home edition of Office would come to $50 a year. So the combination of Office and OneCare, at $50 a year, assuming you wanted it, would bring the price to $100 a year, list, or $80 a year, based on the Amazon discounts.

mediaguycouk:
Well office for Students (which is nearly the same as office for home users) is currently £12.95 per year - http://www.theultimatesteal.co.uk/ - but the US version of this offer doesn't seem to have a yearly cost - http://www.theultimatesteal.com

zridling:
Cool! Thanks for the link support, mediaguycouk.

Carol Haynes:
The student price isn't a realistic comparison because I bought the whole "Office 2007 Ultimate Edition" which contains just about every package in the Office family for about £38 ($60 in the US) and the UK rental price is a one year only option (it isn't an annual subscription as far I can see - just a one off - especially as The Ultimate Steal offer finishes in 2 days so there will be no offer to return to for renewal). Strangely the US seems to be one of the minority of countries that doesn't include the one year rental offer!

markan:
Do we know that the Ultimate Steal is legitimate. I am a cycnic at heart and it smells mighty dodgy to me. Of course someone may know something I don't!

**edit** I did some more digging and it looks like it probably is legit - but I can see people being nervous. If it looks too good to be true it generally is.

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