What is PKC for Office 2010?

[Pat]

I need Office 2010 Pro, Do I have to have Office 2010 Pro already preloaded on your PC before getting a PKC?
Does the PKC unlock the Office 2010 suite?
Can someone please explain this all to me.

[HansV]

A Product Key Card (PKC) can only be used for a copy of Microsoft Office that has been pre-loaded on a new computer by the manufacturer.
By using the 25-character key on the PKC, the end user can unlock this copy. It provides a single, non-transferrable license to use Microsoft Office on that computer.

A PKC cannot be used to register a retail copy of Microsoft Office - the license is bound to a pre-loaded copy of Microsoft Office on a new computer.

[Pat]

Thanks Hans, i am about to bite the bullet and purchase Office 2010 Pro, my best price currently is $693AUD

[TonyE]

Pat, if you use Microsoft Office at work, check with your employer to see if they participate in the Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP). If they participate in HUP you should be able to get Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 for a nominal fee. I believe the current price is $15AUD

[John Gray]

Agree with Tony! In the UK the price is £8.95 (including VAT) for Office 2010 Pro Plus (it can only be that) via the Microsoft Home Use Program.
Briefly, the conditions are:

• only one copy - so one install
• employee must be employed - entitlement ceases if s/he leaves
• the work software must have software assurance throughout the time during which the software is used at home

If Office 2010 is going to cost you serious money, you'd be well advised to see if the free LibreOffice does what you want. It's a Office 2003 lookalikeabit, and 'quite' compatible with Word/Excel, assuming you aren't trying something deeply esoteric...

[Pat]

Thanks guys, unfortunately i am an independent developer so it seems i am up for the full price.

[JoeP]

You should check out Technet subscriptions. Yes, it is an annual fee but see Buy a subcription for a comparison and links to a complete list of products included.

Joe

[Pat]

I will check that out, thanks