Office programs continue to be one of the most popular types of software worldwide. It is estimated that 1.2 billion people use Microsoft’s Office programs. That is about one in every seven people on the planet. The company’s Office 365 service is also enjoying great popularity with more than 9.2 million subscribers. Therefore, if you are reading this, chances are you are one of the many consumers who use Office programs at least on a weekly basis. But if you are planning to invest in a Microsoft Surface device, you will need to get informed on some hidden costs and benefits regarding Office 365.
Surface Pro 3 is one very robust hybrid device. The fact that it can run programs, apps and games available for desktop PCs, make Pro 3 a great laptop replacement. That is often why most consumers choose to go with Pro 3 than with Surface 3, even if that would cost them extra. The unpleasant surprise come when Surface Pro 3 owners realize than they to purchase the Microsoft Office Suite separately, if they want to use it. In addition to that, although innovative, this tablet does not come with Office 365 either. Consumers can only buy it separately from the device. To do that, Microsoft has provided them with two options:
- To purchase Surface Pro 3 and an Office 365 subscription on separate terms. The cheapest Office 365 plan starts at $69.99 per year and the starting price of Microsoft’s Pro 3 is $799. In other words, you will need to spend nearly $870.
- To invest their money in Microsoft’s special Surface Pro 3 Bundle. It features not only the Pro 3 devices and a one-year subscription to Office 365, but also a Type cover, a two-year warranty and a sleeve for the newest generation of Surface Pro. Still, that will cost you at least $1068.
Surface 3 may not be as powerful and multifunctional as Surface Pro 3, but if you are planning to use it mainly for work on Office programs, that it should be your top choice. The device comes with a one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, including full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint Outlook and OneNote, as well as 1TB of OneDrive storage. The combined value of all these services is $69.99 – money that you will save, at least during the first year you use Surface 3. Also, Microsoft’s newest tablet starts at just $499. Even if you purchase the Surface 3 Bundle, you will only need to pay $748 or about $50 less compared to Pro 3’s starting price tag.
The bottom line is that if you are an Office power user and are looking for a good Microsoft Surface device to suit your needs, you should probably go with Surface 3. It is not as robust at its Pro 3 brother, but it will offer you both the Office and Surface experience at a more affordable price. Of course, those who do not mind shredding a few more bucks should not hesitate to purchase the Surface Pro 3 laptop killer, especially if they are not big Office users.
