Review by Brian Hawkinson

So the last time I’ve purchased a MS Office was in 2003, so it’s been a while since I’ve updated everything. The look and feel of Office 2013 is a lot more streamlined and simplified, even though it has a busy look to it (I think because they’ve changed the screens to almost all white and made the buttons bigger). So far I’ve found it has streamlined well, transitioning and updating itself fluidly. Excel has a new look when updating a cell, showing at the same time the cells that it is updating at the same time with a quick downward motion of the numbers. Outlook creates reply emails straight in the email without opening a new screen, making for quicker and easier use. The icon on the taskbar displays a small envelope when you have mail, which is a nice touch.

I think the only major con is the horrible DRM that they have on it. Originally they made it so that you could install only once. Your computer crashes too bad. They switched it once the outcry was loud enough so that you can re-download every 90 days, which is better but still not good. What if I install and computer crashes, then I have to wait 90 days, all the while not being able to use the programs (this was the last I had heard of the DRM, so if MS has changed it again please let me know). That being said I will be keeping my 2003 handy just in case I need it in a pinch.

All in all, DRM aside, this Office feels and works really well.

4 stars.