Dell Download Store Gets Microsoft Software

Dell's Download Store has become the first non-Microsoft service to offer unboxed versions of Microsoft software for paid download.

The software is out of the box…or, at least, it’s available for paid download. Computer maker Dell has announced that the Dell Download Store has become the first non-Microsoft service to offer unboxed versions of Microsoft software for downloadable purchase. Current offerings include a number of editions of Microsoft Office (like Standard, Professional, and Small Business editions) along with standalone applications like Word, Excell, Project, OneNote, and Visio.

“With everyday savings plus on-demand access, the Dell Download Store addresses our customers’ two main concerns: price and immediacy,” said Dell’s general manager for global software distribution Geoff Surkamer, in a statement. “In addition, downloading is a more environmentally friendly way to purchase and distribute software because there’s no need for packaging material.”

The Dell Download Store offers the software at a discount compared to a physical retailer—for instance, the Home and Student edition of Office 2007 typically carries a retail price of $149.99 in stores, but Dell offers it box-less and downloadable for $129.99. The Dell Download Store also maintains a library of purchases: if a computer is damages or stolen, users can download purchased software again at no extra charge.

The Dell Download Store also offers software from Intuit, McAfee, Webroot, VA, and AVG.