Microsoft Office 2000 price freeze

Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) also is planning several promotions, including a free upgrade to Office 2000 for users who purchase Office 97 between now and the second-quarter launch date of Office 2000. Pricing ranges from $209 for a standard upgrade to $799 for an off-the-shelf package of Office 2000 Premium, which includes both FrontPage 2000, the Web site development tool, and graphics software suite PhotoDraw.

Pricing is as follows (upgrades include rebate promotion).

Office 2000 Standard, the basic package, and Office 2000 Small Business will cost $209 for Microsoft users, $249 for upgrades from non-Microsoft suites, and $499 for new users.

Office 2000 Professional will cost $309 for Microsoft users, $349 for upgrades from non-Microsoft suites, and $599 for new users.

Office 2000 Developer, which includes development tools, will cost $609 for Microsoft users, $649 for upgrades from non-Microsoft suites, and $999 for new users.

Office 2000 Premium will cost $399 for Microsoft users, $449 for upgrades from non-Microsoft suites, and $799 for new users.

Better Web/desktop integration
The new suite will include features such as better integration between the desktop and Web, more natural language capabilities and the ability to install the program in components. The pricing freeze comes as Microsoft has been coming under fire for continuing to increase the cost of its software even though hardware prices are dropping.

Promotions accompanying the release include discounts on Microsoft's IntelliMouse Pro, two month's worth of free Web hosting from AnaServe and reduced prices on Lernout & Hauspie's voice recognition software.