Office 2008 for Mac details revealed at Apple Expo

1. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac

The core suite includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage along with Microsoft Exchange Server support and Automator tools for the ultimate Mac productivity experience. US$399.95 full retail version and US$239.95 for the upgrade version.

2. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition

This special new addition combines Office 2008 applications with the Microsoft Expression Media digital asset management system and is geared toward professional users who need Microsoft Exchange Server support and Automator tools and are looking for one product to meet their productivity and digital asset management needs. US$499.95 full retail version and US$299.95 for the upgrade version.

3. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home and Student Edition

A specially priced version for users with basic productivity needs. US$149.95 full retail version.

All versions of Office 2008 for Mac support the new Open XML file format and are Universal applications that will perform natively on Power PC- and Intel-based Macs. Each version will be available in the US beginning January 15, 2008 with global general availability in the first quarter of 2008.

For the first time, Office 2008 for Mac will be offered in Nordic languages (Danish, Finnish, Norwegian) in addition to English, Japanese, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.

Microsoft's Technology Guarantee Program that allows customers in select regions who purchase qualifying Office 2004 for Mac product(s) after today the ability to upgrade to a version of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac for US$10 plus applicable taxes.

Previously, Microsoft’s Mac Business Unit offered customers a “sneak peek” at a number of new features slated for Office 2008 for Mac. A new promotional Web site (www.macoffice2008.com) offers animated screen grabs of the new UI and changes to the suite. More information is available on the Mac BU Web site.