It's nearly always cheaper to get the software with the machine, if that's an option.

Tricks that Microsoft plays with licensing are unclear for the new stuff, but there has been the minor glitch that an OEM OS (Windows/Vista) is licensed as part of the specific computer it comes with, and can't be (easily) removed and installed on a different machine, even if the original machine "dies an unnatural death."

Previous OEM Office programs didn't seem to carry that restriction, but I haven't seen anything "definitive" on the licensing for the new ones - although that's the direction Microsoft seems to be going.

An FRP (Full Retail Package - purchased from a retail seller) OS or Office has never carried a restriction to a "first machine," but I haven't found anything yet on whether that remains true for Vista/Office 2007.

The "Business" (and maybe the "student") versions of Office, as indicated in the listing above, for some unknown reason seem to omit Access, which is sometimes useful.

Instead, they load you up with Power Point (banned in US Department of Defence offices because it's an "information KILLER" that blocks communication) and Publisher - which can't really do much useful that Word can't do as well or better if you learn how to drive Word.

If you work for someone who believes that everything has to be on a viewfoil and in a slide presentation, it probably is unwise to inform said boss that (s)he's an idiot, and you're stuck with using them; but if you're interested in actually informing someone you still write a book (or a paper with footnotes) about it.

For my use, Word and Excel are the key programs, with Access a "nice to have" but not too necessary to me. The rest of it is just extra baggage. Your use and needs, of course, may vary from mine.

Outlook comes in two versions now, with and without the Contact Manager. Contact Manager is frequently/usually listed separately, but is actually just a plug-in to Outlook. Frankly it sounds a lot like just a new "buzzword" for the old Address Book, but I haven't explored in detail whether it will keep my three friends listed in orderly fashion. (i.e. even if it does have more features, they're not things I need.)

What ISN'T MENTIONED is that new versions of Office (and Vista) DO NOT INCLUDE Outlook Express, so far as I've been able to determine, wo if you happen to be one of the seven remaining users of that one you're sort of out of luck with the new packages.

John