Microsoft Corp. has announced Office V. X Test Drive for Mac OS X. In a meeting with MacCentral, MacBU product manager Eric Ryan explained that Microsoft wanted to get the suite of applications in the hands of users.
The test drive includes Excel, Word, Entourage and PowerPoint and will remain active for 30 days from installation.
“We wanted to make it easy for customers to try the combined power of Office v. X and Mac OS X,” said Kevin Browne, General Manager Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit. “The Office v. X Test Drive enables users to find out what all the buzz is about and try it with no risk. Once they take Office v. X for a spin, we know they’ll be thrilled with the experience.”
The Office v. X Test Drive is fully functional with the exception of printing and Visual Basic for Applications being disabled.
“Office v. X is an essential ingredient in transitioning to Mac OS X; the addition of this application suite allows all Mac users to work comfortably in Mac OS X full time,” said Ron Okamoto, vice president of Worldwide Development at Apple.
In addition, Microsoft and Apple are co-sponsoring a Mac OS X and Office v. X rebate program. Until March 31, 2002, if you buy a Mac and the full version of Office v. X you will receive US$150 back by mail. If you purchase a Mac and the upgrade to Office v. X, you will receive $75 back by mail. And finally, if you purchase the Mac OS X upgrade and the full or upgrade version of Office, you will receive $50 back by mail.