Working smarter: Introducing Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac

Microsoft South Africa is pleased to announce the launch of Office 2004 for Mac, the most exciting version of Office for Mac to date. With its many Mac-first features and enhancements, it is a must-have for Mac users. Microsoft combined its two-decade Mac software tradition, innovation as well as customer research and testing to deliver an unmatched Mac user experience.

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac and Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 will transform the way users create, share and manage information and ideas. Extensive research was conducted to determine what enhancements to make to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, resulting in a host of new and enhanced features.

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac provides the intuitive, intelligent tools needed to transform ideas and opportunities into action.

"Office 2004 offers a new level of productivity previously unseen on the Mac platform and is packed with the tools to help Mac users work more efficiently," says Cindy White, home and retail manager, Microsoft South Africa.

Users are able to turn ideas into documents, spreadsheets and presentations that can be shared seamlessly with Mac and Windows users.

"We are excited about the availability of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac, the most innovative version of Office for Mac to date. It offers many Mac-only and Mac-first features, making it a great productivity suite for all users," says Bruno Verolini, country manager for Apple.

Microsoft Office 2004 will allow Mac users to:

* Manage information efficiently. Project Centre simplifies the management of e-mails, files, contacts, meetings and tasks related to a specific project. The Word Notebook Layout View allows users to take notes quickly, search and flag relevant information and even record audio directly into a Word document.

* Create with confidence. The Scrapbook feature allows for quick access to the applications that consumers need most often, such as text, logos and pictures. Users are also able to use Excel Page Layout View to view and manipulate directly in a spreadsheet what they will see on paper, including margins, headers, footers and page layout.

* Share ideas. Compatibility reports detail issues that may be problematic, allowing users to fix it and in so doing, share information and ideas seamlessly with users across any platform.

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Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 gives Mac users the freedom and flexibility to run PC programs, access PC networks and share PC files - without ever leaving Mac.

Virtual PC for Mac allows users to run Windows-based applications, access Windows networks, use Windows-only Internet applications and share files with other Windows users. A true Mac application that emulates a PC on your Mac, Virtual PC makes it easy to run programmes such as Microsoft Access, Visio and Project in addition to custom-built enterprise software tools.

Virtual PC 7, which is compatible with the Mac G5, offers important improvements in speed, graphics, performance and usability.

Pricing and availability

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Standard and Student editions are available in stores. Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional edition and Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 will be available in stores by November 2004. Estimated retail prices range between R1 250 and R4 000. Products are also available on volume licensing and qualifying customers will be able to purchase products at lower prices.