Buy individual iWork, iLife apps from the Mac App Store
Apple's iWork suite is a nice collection, but some users don't need all three apps. Fortunately, the Mac App Store lets you pick and choose between iWork and iLife apps. Starting today, you can buy and install only the apps you want for US$20 each. For iWork customers, that means Pages, Numbers and Keynote. Buy all three and spend $60. That's a savings of $40.
Now some of you are probably saying "$40? But iWork '09 only cost $80? So if I can get them for $60, that's a savings of $20." Ah, but you are forgetting that the app you are buying can be used on all of your computers, meaning that you are really getting what used to be called the "Family Pack" which sold for $100.
The Mac App Store also recognizes if you already own them, so you won't have to buy them again.
Similarly, the iLife apps can be purchased individually. You'll find iPhoto or iMovie or GarageBand on sale for $15 each. That's a significant savings over the $80 for iLife Family Pack. There's one big caveat, however: you will not find iWeb or iDVD in the Mac App Store. Maybe they're coming later, but it seems more likely that Apple signified that they were cutting them lose when they were included in the boxed set of iLife but never mentioned during the announcement.
Where is iWork '11?
Several of us were surprised to see that iWork '11 is not on the Mac App Store. iWork '09 is, obviously, a few years old now and the Mac community has been anticipating a new release. the Mac App Store just seemed like it would be a good opportunity. Not yet, but hopefully soon.
Just a reminder: there has never been Mac upgrade pricing on iWork or iLife, so if you buy Pages from iWork '09 today for $20 and iWork '11 is introduced next week, expect to pay full price for that upgrade. Caveat emptor.
UPDATE: If you already own these apps but the Mac App Store doesn't recognize it, make sure they are up to date (iWork just had an update last night). After updating apps, restart App Store app and it should recognize they are installed.
Share
Apple's iWork suite is a nice collection, but some users don't need all three apps. Fortunately, the Mac App Store lets you pick and...
Add a Comment
I had iWork '09 already installed on my Mac Pro when the App Store was released. After updating, the App Store recognized my apps showing them as "Installed".
When I downloaded Numbers on my Macbook Air my account was charged. Not sure why as we know that the apps can be installed on multiple computers.
I've submitted an email to App Store support in an effort to be (hopefully) reimbursed.
Ok - so how bout the "personal, non-commercial use" thing. I for one use iWork for business use - surely that is the broad intent of producing such a suite. Is this just another Apple oxymoron or does it mean that the app store is not for me?
January 06 2011 at 6:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"If you already own these apps but the Mac App Store doesn't recognize it, make sure they are up to date (iWork just had an update last night). After updating apps, restart App Store app and it should recognize they are installed.â€
I do not want Apple to know what apps I have installed. This terrifies me. Apple may be worse than google, with their iTunes Genius feature, Ping, and now the AppStore they can have a comprehensive profile of their users.
Scary stuff.
Does anybody know...If I buy the iLife 11 apps thru the app store, will iMovie specifically play nicely with the iDVD from my iLife 09? I need to maintain the ability to burn DVD disks or the grandparents will be mighty upset. Also, were there any significant updates to iDVD in iLife 11? i don't think so, but just wan t to confirm. Thanks in advance.
January 06 2011 at 1:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replylooks like iwork volume lic are not recognised by the app store
January 06 2011 at 11:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyInteresting how this model, which was pioneered on a single-user system now applies to multi-user setups.
Obviously any user on a system with admin rights can install an app through the store and it's available to all. But then they can also install the same app on all their machines (and the 5 computer limit seems to be invalid according to tests above).
Does this mean a sysadmin of a 5000 machine network can simply buy one app, then login on each of "their" computers and install it again free of charge, then all the other users on that mulit-user machine can use the app.
If so then the whole licensing policy here is all kinds of messed up. I expect there will be some kind of limit or licensing terms to prevent this, as I can't imagine this is an oversight (if it is it's a massive one!).
Of course a sysadmin of 5000 machines would likely rather pay to automate the whole procedure but then again, whose to say that a pre-imaged version of this isn't just as valid as installing everything manually?
Food for thought tho'.
little disappointed there are no updates to iWork, iWeb. With a new semester, I need to pull the trigger on an office suite. Seems like they could have done better with the release.
January 06 2011 at 11:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGlad you can buy them piecemeal now. I was going to pass on iLife altogether this year when they failed to update iWeb.
January 06 2011 at 11:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI believe you're simply limited on the amount of accounts you can authorise an app to - up to five. Is there something that states a 5 machine limit for apps?
January 06 2011 at 10:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYou say "The Mac App Store also recognizes if you already own them, so you won't have to buy them again."
Doesn't seem to be true for me. Is there a way to update Mac App Store to scan system for already installed apps?
Do apps have to be in Applications folder?
Deals of the Day
more deals- Used Apple iPad 32GB Wi-Fi Tablet for $200 + free shipping
- Apple iPod nano Multi-Touch 8GB MP3 Player for $100 + $8 s&h
- Cases for New iPad at HandHeldItems: Extra 20% off, $2 credit, from $3 + $3 s&h
- $15 Apple iTunes Gift Card for $8 for new Saveology customers
- Retro 80's Case for iPhone for $11 + $2 s&h
- HHI 360 Dual-View Stand Case for new iPad w/ $2 credit for $12 + $3 s&h
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
30 Comments