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.

About the Author

Becky Nagel serves as vice president of AI for 1105 Media specializing in developing media, events and training for companies around AI and generative AI technology. She also regularly writes and reports on AI news, and is the founding editor of PureAI.com. She's the author of "ChatGPT Prompt 101 Guide for Business Users" and other popular AI resources with a real-world business perspective. She regularly speaks, writes and develops content around AI, generative AI and other business tech. Find her on X/Twitter @beckynagel.

Featured

  • Image of a futuristic maze

    The 2024 Microsoft Product Roadmap

    Everything Microsoft partners and IT pros need to know about major Microsoft product milestones this year.

  • 2025 Support Cliffs Approaching for Exchange 2016, Dynamics 365 PSA

    Microsoft recently sounded the warning bell for two of its products, Exchange Server 2016 and Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation (PSA), both of which are set to reach end-of-support milestones next year.

  • Windows Recall To Finally See Daylight in October Preview

    After postponing the public debut of its controversial Windows Recall AI feature, Microsoft is has finally settled on releasing it as a broad preview in October.

  • 'Unified' Microsoft Teams App Released for Windows, macOS

    In preview since March, Microsoft's new "unified" Teams application for Windows 11, Windows 10 and macOS is now generally available.