Record interest in the beta of Microsoft Office 2010 saw users downloading more than two million copies of the trial software in just seven weeks since its release.  In a blog entry, Microsoft Office general manager Rachel Bondi wrote that "The Office 2010 beta is generating record interest and use, surpassing the previous Office 2007 beta download rate."

For now, Microsoft has confirmed that Office 2010 will be released in four editions: A standard Office Home and Student version priced at $149, Office Home and Business at $279, Office 2010 Professional at $499, and the Office Professional Academic. The Professional Academic version is only meant for college students and professors, and priced at a very attractive $99.

"Key cards" for all the versions other than Professional Academic is available, which allows users to download the software and activate it with a key card.  Opting for the key card route gives customers price breaks ranging from $30 to $150 compared to the cost of their boxed cousins. According to Microsoft, the final version of Office 2010 should be available sometime in the middle of this year.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at InformationWeek 

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