I have been looking around different stores (both on-line and actual stores) for a laptop that comes with Microsoft Office installed form the factory. I need to buy a new laptop for school. I need at least Word, Excel, Power Point. So far, I have not seen any laptop that comes with it. Seems like I have to buy it now separately. My older Toshiba Laptops (x3) all came with pre-installed.

Anyone know a good and reliable brand that still comes with Microsoft Home or Office?

My budget is $1,000 or less. Something fast enough for on-line school usage, something that will last at least 4 years, before it starts slowing down.

I am not computer savvy. I don't really need all the bells and whistles for now. Although that may come in handy in the future. I just need something for school.

Depending on the "School", you might be better off purchasing a "Student" version. Probably less expensive than paying for a preinstalled copy.

Hey Tom, first time I heard about Student Version. I would rather buy something than comes with stuff I need. But if it is no longer available as an option, I guess I will have to purchase it after I purchase the laptop. I will look into that option. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by TomV:
Depending on the "School", you might be better off purchasing a "Student" version. Probably less expensive than paying for a preinstalled copy.

Office was never free, just preinstalled. You always paid for it in the price of the computer. I don't think you can even buy the disks anymore. It has to be downloaded onto the computer. I've done it and it's easy to do.


Jim

I second looking for the computer you want and then just adding Office Home and Student. I just looked on Amazon and it is about $125. Or, if you or any family member work for a participating company or government entity (military, etc), you can get a copy from the Microsoft Home Use Program for $9.99 (19.99 if you want a backup disk).

I guess I will just go that route. It made sense now why I paid so much more on my last 3 Toshiba laptops, as compared to what the laptops cost now. I work for the VA and I remember receiving an email from our IT folks regarding the Microsoft version we can purchase through VA. I will look for that email and hope the code they provided is still valid. Otherwise, I will check directly with Microsoft. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
I second looking for the computer you want and then just adding Office Home and Student. I just looked on Amazon and it is about $125. Or, if you or any family member work for a participating company or government entity (military, etc), you can get a copy from the Microsoft Home Use Program for $9.99 (19.99 if you want a backup disk).

If you have a company email plug it in here and see if you are eligible.

Microsoft Home Use Program

Thanks for that link mbinky. I appreciate it. I typed in my .gov email address and it worked. All I have do to now is to buy my laptop.

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
If you have a company email plug it in here and see if you are eligible.

Microsoft Home Use Program

If a laptop came with Office, it would only be for a 30 day trial.

About the student version, I know what I speak of. Schools have agreements with Microsoft to get full versions at ridiculously low student prices, like $10. That’s what I paid and it was for them to send me the CDs. It might be less now since you can download the stuff.

Ask someone in the school office or an IT professor.

They have a lot more programs than just office.

Back in the day, the major manufacturers would preload a large quantity of identical boxes with Office for special non-retail orders. I've seen that done by Dell for school districts, insurance companies, and SLG (State and Local Government) contracts. Microsoft operating system licensing was paid for on a per seat/box basis. But Office was licensed and paid for on a MOLP basis. MOLP licensing was intended for single entity volume installations. MOLP licenses were non-transferrable. I haven't seen or heard of MOLP licenses since around 2000.

Dell computers. here

You can get GREAT deals on refurbished laptops at newegg.com. Bought my last 2 Dells from newegg that were refurbished and they worked fantastic.

I'll suggest a used Thinkpad from eBay. I paid $200 a month ago for what was a $3000 laptop in 2011, and I dropped 16 gigs of RAM in it for an extra $150. Anything I need a laptop for, my X220 Tablet can handle, up to and including photo editing in Photoshop.

I'd honestly suggest a X220 (non-tablet) with a Sandy Bridge i7 and 12-16 gigs of RAM, or if you need more juice, a T420 for about $50 or so more (the T series has discreet graphics cards). That should be about $200 ($250-275 if you get the T420) after shipping. Then I'd pocket the rest.