Best version of Microsoft Office to buy for new laptop?

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Hi

I’m in the process of buying a new replacemnt laptop and am wondering if anyone has any advice on which version of MS Office to go for.

I’m looking for a perpetual version which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (don’t need Access or Publisher) but probably don’t need all the very latest bells and whistles. I use quite a lot of advanced facilities in Excel which is why I cant manage with, say, Open/Libre Office etc.

Any advice on Office version, including good suppliers, would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

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I can tell you where NOT to buy it – always check the price.  When it’s TOO cheap it’s more often than not enterprise keys that have been ripped off.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/buymsoffice.co.uk

Example there.

The most guaranteed to be legal place to buy it is:  Microsoft Office 2021 | Microsoft 365 Scroll down and choose the Office Home & Business 2021.  They require you to set up a Microsoft account but then the product key is always there should you need to reinstall or reactivate it.

Second best place to get legal versions is specifically Amazon.com: Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 | One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac | Download the one that is a Microsoft offering via Amazon.

When they get TOO cheap, I seriously question it’s legality.

Since you want Outlook you’ll need to look for “Home and business” as that has Outlook.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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windbg, WSVictor Delta

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I generally agree with all of Susan Bradley’s advice, but with some research and investigation, you may want to take a little risk. If you might be willing to gamble $15, I wrote about my adventure buying Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 at Peter Deegans newsletter blog post about saving money on MS 365, my post #2427650 is for the perpetual office, not willing to pay rent monthly or annually. That was on 24 February 2022, still Licensed and Activated today. The Joy Warp website says:

“About Office 2021 Professional Plus Key – This is a brand new genuine cd key. You acquire an unused, valid product key to activate Office 2021 Professional Plus.”

And Trustpilot Joy Warp entry has 83 Reviews, 4.8 star Excellent rating, so I am satisfied with my $15 gamble so far. YMMV. Good luck with your search.

Amazing Truths Revealed: Link to Simply Magnificent AskWoody Knowledge Bases

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windbg, WSVictor Delta

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Followed Lars220’s advice and it has worked. Very simple process indeed. May need to keep my fingers crossed. but so far so good. Many thanks.

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Lars220

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Very many thanks for those most helpful replies. I’ve obviously got to do a little more research but the way forward is much clearer now.

Apologies that my original post appeared as anonymous – I thought I had logged in!

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You might be able to find Office 2019 at a lower price than Office 2021.

The date that security patches end for Office 2019 is 10/14/2025, and for Office 2021 is 10/13/2026. I was hoping Office 2021 would have 10 years of security patches but that has apparently be shortened.

I compared Office 2019 to Office 2021 (volume versions, not retail versions) and I did not find the new features in Office 2021 to be significant. I am staying with Office 2019 for now.

Take a look at this offer from the PCWorld store:

https://software.pcworld.com/p43585-microsoft_office_home__business_2019

I have never bought anything from the PCWorld store, but their parent company is a large US media company so it is hopefully legit. Perhaps other Ask Woody users have purchased from PCWorld store and will give a review.

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windbg, WSVictor Delta

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You can save money with the free (install/portable) LibreOffice. No license, no subscription.

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anonymous wrote:

I use quite a lot of advanced facilities in Excel which is why I cant manage with, say, Open/Libre Office etc.

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WSVictor Delta, Alex5723

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Costco also has MS Office Home and Business 2021, same price as Amazon – $220.00 (which is $30 off MS’s everyday price).

For anyone who’s looking for MS Office Home and Student Amazon offers it for $100 a few times a year but you have to be quick because the offer pops up unannounced and doesn’t last long. Otherwise both Amazon and Costco have it everyday for $125.00 (which is $25 off MS’s everyday price).

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WSVictor Delta

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In August 2020 I purchased perpetual Office licenses from Vevo Digital for $50 each. Since that time I’d re-installed one of the installations and the product activation key again proved itself to be authentic.

Human, who sports only naturally-occurring DNA ~ oneironaut ~ broadcaster

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WSVictor Delta

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