SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 7, 2003 — The Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) at Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a Mac trifecta to help Macintosh customers discover and acquire some of the most popular software designed for the Mac platform. Microsoft is making it easier for customers to experience Office v. X with an Office v. X Test Drive preinstall and also is extending the popular Office Party program that launched last fall into an Office Romance, saving Mac and Office customers up to $300 (U.S.). In addition, Microsoft introduced Entourage (TM) X, a leading personal information manager (PIM) for the Mac platform, available separately for $99* (U.S.).
Microsoft announced that North American consumers who buy any new Macintosh computer through April 7, 2003, can acquire Microsoft®
Office v. X for Mac at the same time for $199.99* (U.S.) or $299* (CDN). Comparable promotions are running in Japan and Australia until April 7, 2003. European and African consumers are eligible to receive a similar offer through April 30, 2003.
“We continuously strive to put the best software in the hands of our Mac users, and they’ve told us that promotions such as Office Romance are an incredible offer,”
said Tim McDonough, marketing director of the MacBU at Microsoft.
“Whether giving Mac users a simple solution to help manage their busy lives with Entourage X, an opportunity to save when they buy a new Mac and Office v. X together, or the ability to test drive the powerful Office suite, we’re committed to delivering the most compelling Mac computing experiences in the industry.”
Microsoft also announced today that on all new Macs shipping in 2003, Apple Computer Inc. will preinstall the MacBU’s popular Office v. X Test Drive. The 30-day trial software gives Mac OS X customers the opportunity to try all four Office v. X applications — Word X, Excel X, PowerPoint®
X and Entourage X — free. The Office v. X Test Drive preinstall, the latest demonstration of Microsoft and Apple’s shared commitment to help Mac customers experience great products, marks the first time Apple has preinstalled an Office Test Drive on its computers.
In addition to the Office v. X Test Drive and Office Romance promotion, Microsoft introduced Entourage X as a stand-alone product. Entourage X integrates powerful e-mail, address book, calendar and task management functionality in one simple solution. The Entourage X stand-alone is available now in the United States for $99* (U.S.) and in Japan starting Jan. 24, 2003, for 9,800* (JPY).
About Microsoft Macintosh Business Unit
The Macintosh Business Unit at Microsoft is a leading developer of software and online products for the Macintosh platform. With the largest Mac-focused development team outside Apple Computer, the MacBU comprises approximately 150 full-time Mac product experts. Committed to the Macintosh platform since 1997, the MacBU delivers award-winning products developed to meet the unique needs of Mac users. Current products include Microsoft Office v. X for Mac, a productivity suite that includes the e-mail application and personal information manager Entourage X, Word X, Excel X and PowerPoint X; Internet Explorer 5.2 for Mac; and MSN®
Messenger Service 3.0 for Mac. More information about the MacBU and Microsoft Macintosh products is available at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Estimated retail price. Reseller prices may vary.
Microsoft, Entourage, PowerPoint and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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