Office 2008 now available for pre-order

I feel that Office is pretty much a pro version of iWork. (iPhoto is to Aperture as iWork is to Office.) Since I'm no longer a student writing fifteen papers a week, iWork has really been serving me well. I've pretty much switched my office to iWork as well. We do a lot of newsletters and publishing that needs to look attractive. I suppose I'll wait on getting Office until I go back to school.

I just preordered it from the Apple Store, $115.00 for student teacher version. Maybe I'm nuts, but as a Mac user since 1988, I love Office products. I bought IWORK 08. I use Numbers because it is Maclike and elegant; but seriously folks, does anyone really think that, when writing a letter, or a paper, Pages is the least bit user friendly or useful at all??

Just PLEASE don't make me use a Microsoft OS....

Probably because you're a giant douchebag.

Retail price for the Special Media Edition

US: US$500 (GBP 255)
UK: GBP450 (US$ 882) - VAT (17.5%) it's GBP382 (US$750)

50% more than the US price for exactly the same product?

Thanks but no thanks.

It's also available for pre-order at www.macmall.com

It's only $130.98 for the Home & Student edition from them.

@Anyone who is trying to get Office 2008 through the "Super Suite Deal" - the one where you bought Office 2004 recently and are getting 2008 for $7:

I just got an email that says (among other things):

"The new expected ship date for your product is 2/4/2008.

If you wish to receive this product, if available by the new expected ship date shown above, NO RESPONSE IS REQUIRED.

If you no longer wish to receive this product, you may cancel your order by responding to this e-mail and placing an X in front of option #1 below or by contacting our customer service department at 506-694-4328.

If we are unable to ship this product by the new expected ship date shown, but you wish to receive the product when it becomes available, you may update your order by responding to this e-mail and placing an X in front of option #2 below or by contacting our customer service department at 506-694-4328."

If you don't read that carefully you might just ignore it, but what it says is that if they don't have Office 2008 in stock on February 4th (and I suspect they will make a point of not having any) they will cancel your order, and you will have to purchase it for full price. In order to prevent this you have to awkwardly "place an X in front of option #2 below". God only knows why they couldn't have made a website with a check box, I guess that would have been a bit too modern for Microsoft.

Sincerely,

Russell

It's a merit less comment to say that you'll need a 2nd machine to get any work done. You honestly think they'll ship something that doesn't work at all?? I'm all for Microsoft bashing when they deserve it, but get real.

Has anyone noticed the price discrepancy between the US and UK Apple Stores? As usual us Brits are expected to pay between a half and a third more depending on which version. Do Apple and Microsoft not use exchange rates? I know we have differing local taxes but this wouldn't add as big a difference. With Apple having to change their pricing on the iTunes Store for the UK I'm amazed that they and Microsoft continue to screw over their customers on this side of the Atlantic!

One thing that is driving me crazy is the prices for Canadian residents. At the moment, the Candian dollar is worth more than the US greenback but we are still being charged for the 'exchange rate' that was appropriate a year ago. It is infuriating because most big businesses are slow to react when swings in circumstances favour the consumer but are instantaneous when it is in their favour--just look at gas prices ...
Just another example that MS cares more about money than customers. If they could only get it through their think skulls that if you take care of the latter the former takes care of itself. In fact, in the long run, you make more money being customer-centric than money centric. I suppose the blue-faced screaming id*ot Steve Ballmer can't see this very simple fact.
A question: does anyone know if the Exchange Server version is available for multiple licenses?
thanks
Chris

Funnily enough, I just today received this "Back Order" update from Microsoft on my upgrade from recently purchased Office 2004:

Thank you for your recent order. The product listed below is currently out of stock.

The new expected ship date for your product is 2/4/2008.