Microsoft Office 2010 now available in stores, online

Microsoft Office 2010 is now occupying retail shelf space, and Redmond's betting that you'll waltz into the nearest Best Buy and plunk down $129 for a new copy of the productivity suite. Although some people will resist the urge to upgrade by continuing to use an older version of MS Office or by relying on free alternatives, Microsoft is prepping an $80 million ad campaign to convince the rest.

The "Make it Great" campaign seems to share parallels with recent marketing efforts for Windows 7 in that it will focus on real people (mostly parents and small-business owners) who've been among the product's 9 million beta testers. Around 70% of that ad blitz will be online, with the rest divvied up between print and billboard ads, according to CNET.


Despite the increasing number of free productivity solutions, Forrester estimates that about 67% of US online consumers regularly use Microsoft Office at home, making it the most ubiquitous consumer client program except for Windows. The research firm believes that success will continue – and so does Microsoft, predicting a record adoption rate for Office 2010.

If you'd like to contribute to that forecast, Office 2010 is available in three versions: Home and Student, Home and Business, and Professional. In stores, they cost $149.99, $279.99, or $499.99, but by downloading the software and buying a Key Card, prices drop to $119.99, $199.99, and $349.99. You can also check out the Office 2010 free trial.