News
Dell Now Selling Microsoft Software via Download
Dell Computer Corp. announced late last week that it is the first company aside from Microsoft to offer Microsoft software for sale via direct download.
U.S.-based customers visiting Dell's Download Store can purchase and download the Office suites or individual Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Visio.
A quick check shows that pricing on Dell's site ranges from slightly to substantially less than the pricing on Microsoft's own online store. For example, Store.Microsoft.com is offering the Office Home and Student 2007 Suite for $149.95; on Dell's site, it's $80.99. Microsoft Office Standard sells for $399.95 on Microsoft's site; Dell is offering it for $352.99.
"With everyday savings plus on-demand access, the Dell Download Store addresses our customers' two main concerns: price and immediacy," Geoff Surkamer, general manager, Dell Global Digital Distribution, commented in a prepared statement.
According to Dell, the company's online store, which debuted in January of this year, averages approximately 10,000 visitors every week. Other software vendors offering their wares through Dell's online store include CA, McAfee, AVG and Intuit.