Comparing Discount Student Software Online
- The Definitive Review

Unless you're an ostrich, you can't bury your head in the sand when it comes to discount student software. Everyone uses Google or MSN Search to search for the best deal, the best price and the best discount. Ask a question on an internet forum and you'll be greeted with several recommendations. But how can you separate the facts from opinions?

That brings us to two main issues:

(i) freeware vs paid for software
(ii) where to buy discount student software


Freeware VS Paid For Software

Bargain conscious consumers will consider freeware because it's one choice, just as freeview digital TV is one choice. If you want to split hairs you could argue that some freeware is like freeview with Setanta sports tacked on but it's still not the same as far as I'm concerned!

So if someone recommends OpenOffice or Google docs enthusiastically, keep in mind that yes it's free but no it isn't the same - no matter how loud they shout.
And I like my software choice just as much as I like my TV choice.

I wouldn't appreciate being told to only watch BBC1 "because it's free".

(I'm deliberating ignoring the TV licence issue here because last time I checked bandwidth for downloading isn't free to use either).

Software innovation has come a long way from DOS and choice is good for consumers. BBC news recently did a revealing interview with Bill Gates where he talks about these ideas. It's interesting to draw a line from how software started out all the way to present day programs like Microsoft Office 2007.


The Discount Student Software Online Industry

Again, a few quick online searches will reveal the most common question among would-be buyers of discount student software: is this site legal? Software4Students is indeed a Microsoft Partner and 100% legal.

You don't need student ID because we focus on students AND home users
(ie. non-commercial). But not everyone is legal.

When it comes to buying software online you do need to be very careful because there are some sophisticated OEM* scams operating in the UK who use Google Adwords to generate traffic. When reported, the law is still relatively slow to act. So no matter how slick a site may look, don't be fooled.

Stick to the sites you can trust.

* OEM software is identical to the full retail versions of the software but it lacks any packaging. Typically this will be seen with software items such as operating systems and office suites. The likes of BT (British Telecom) sell OEM software so it can be legal, it's just that it's wide open to abuse from unscrupulous individuals.

I often read forums online just to keep an eye on the latest news on that topic and read about people's experiences. That's why the biggest online stores make money, even if you know you're paying more for shipping at least you know they'll deliver. That brings us onto the last part of this article.


Why Buy Discount Student Software from Software4Students, the #2 software store in the UK?

If you asked 100 people who is the biggest online software store in the UK my money would be on most replies saying "Amazon". A quick search online will show you their Outlook-free Student & Home editions and Educational Licence versions. They sell any type of software, at any price, to anyone.

So if  you're done™  with Amazon, what is your alternative?


Software4Students is not the biggest software store in the UK and as a result we offer the following:

- Dedicated Customer Service (as a smaller company than Amazon our customer service is more dedicated to your order)
- One Price: Low (we exist within family budgets)
- Selective Catalogue (we only sell full version software at budget prices - no watered down versions here!)
- Eligibility (we only sell to students and their family members for home use)
- School Rebate (unlike Amazon, every purchase with us goes towards a rebate for your school or college)

So when it comes to buying discount student software you have plenty of options.
Choose wisely.

Until next time, we'll be channel surfing :)
The Software4Students Team.

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Software4Students.co.uk - Official Microsoft Partner