Save on Microsoft Windows 95 and Office 95

Ginny Williams
MIT Computer Connection

The MIT Computer Connection is now selling academic versions of 
Microsoft Windows 95 (Win 95), Office 95, and Office Professional 95. 
These products are almost identical to the commercial versions, but are 
priced well below retail (with the exception of upgrades, which are not 
discounted). These academic versions can be sold only to members of the 
educational community.

Keep in mind that IS recommends that you wait before upgrading to Win 95 
and Win 95 applications. The MCC is selling these products now as a 
service to those who are not concerned about getting full support and 
who want to take advantage of the MCC's academic pricing.

Another caution has to do with memory. Although Microsoft recommends a 
minimum of 8MB of RAM to run Windows 95 (and Office 95 as well), 
experience has shown that for good performance, your machine should have 
at least 12MB of RAM and preferably 16MB. For example, to have more than 
two Office 95 applications open at once requires 16MB of RAM.

Windows 95
Win 95 features a redesigned graphic interface, Plug and Play technology 
for peripherals, enhanced multimedia, and more powerful features for 
laptops. The Microsoft Network, built into Win 95, supports Microsoft's 
online commerical service (this may be of interest only if you're not 
using MITnet or Tether). Win 95 runs 32-bit applications, as well as 
current MS-DOS and Windows 3.x applications.

Microsoft offers Win 95 on 3.5" diskettes or CD. The CD version includes 
some extra utilities. If you buy Win 95 on diskette, you can download 
these utilities from the Microsoft Web site at 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/software.htm

Win 95 Pricing

* Full version for systems with DOS only
  On 3.5" diskettes

  WINDOWS-95-3.5                MIT $220

* Upgrades for systems running Windows or OS/2
  On 3.5" diskettes

  UP-WIN-95-3.5         MIT $89.95

   On CD
   UP-WIN-95-CD         MIT $89.95

Office 95 and Office Professional 95
Office 95, Standard Edition, is an integrated software suite that 
contains full versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 
Schedule+. Office Professional 95 includes the Access database as well. 
These suites offer tremendous value over buying the software separately.

Both Office 95 suites are available on 3.5" diskette or CD. The CD 
version comes with Microsoft Bookshelf 95, a reference library that 
includes the American Heritage Dictionary, Roget's Thesaurus, Hammond 
World Atlas, Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, and more.

Office 95 Pricing/Select Licensing
Departments can realize significant savings by buying the Office 95 
suites through Microsoft's Select Licensing program. Once a department 
buys one full Office 95 package, it can buy low-cost licenses for 
everyone in the department. Pricing for the full packages is as follows:

* Office 95

  On 3.5" diskettes
  OFFICE-95-3.5         MIT $165

  On CD
  OFFICE-95-CD          MIT $165

* Office Professional 95

  On 3.5" diskettes
  OFFICE-PRO-95         MIT $200

  On CD
  OFF-PRO-95-CD         MIT $180

Pricing on Office 95 select licenses is being confirmed with Microsoft. 
Contact the MCC for details.

Other Products
The MCC also stocks Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as stand-alone packages, 
and can order Microsoft Access, Schedule+, and Bookshelf 95 on request. 
For details, stop by the MCC during business hours, call x3-7686, 
or send email to <mcc@mit.edu>. You can also browse the MCC Web site at

http://web.mit.edu/mcc/www/