Every year, Black Friday arrives with more than just the flashy gadgets and high-tech game consoles. It’s an ideal opportunity to snag deals on software and games too. One standout bargain this season is Best Buy’s $50 discount on Office 2024. This suite includes essential apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and you can install them on one desktop running Windows 11, Windows 10, or macOS.
🔥 The hottest Black Friday deals 🔥
Office 2024 vs. Microsoft 365
Let’s take a deeper dive into Microsoft’s offerings because it can get a bit tricky with all the rebranding and overlapping features. First off, there’s Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, which has a broader range of apps and offers regular updates, cross-device accessibility, and perks like OneDrive cloud storage. However, it does require a subscription. This keeps the initial cost low but banks on you paying either monthly or annually.
Meanwhile, Office 2024 provides just the core applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. This version doesn’t update to the latest versions as they come out, which can be a downside, but there’s a silver lining—it’s a one-time purchase.
According to Microsoft, subscribing to Microsoft 365 offers the optimal experience. You’ll get access to the latest app updates, more applications, OneDrive storage, and tools like Microsoft Editor and Defender. But let’s be real, not everyone needs all those extras. A Microsoft 365 Personal subscription typically costs $69.99 a year, although there’s a deal giving you 15 months for that price.
In my experience, while Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive package, it’s not the go-to option for everyone. If you find yourself primarily using just the core Office apps, it makes little sense to subscribe for features you might never employ. Office 2024 remains a great option for those who want basic functionality without the recurring costs.
🍁 More great Black Friday deals 🦃
Check out Best Buy for markdowns on video games and accessories, Walmart for early discounts across the board, and Target for live deals on a diverse selection of items. Dell, HP, and Lenovo are slashing prices on laptops and gaming PCs, while Newegg is offering savings on PC gaming accessories. Razer is featuring limited-time free shipping, and Samsung has holiday sales on a wide range of electronics. Amazon continues its tradition of rotating bargains on practically everything.
When is Black Friday?
Mark your calendars for November 29, 2024, the official date for Black Friday. But frankly, the specific day has lost some of its novelty since many retailers are rolling out deals well in advance. The excitement of spotting discounts on your wishlist items is what truly matters.
When is Cyber Monday?
Right on Black Friday’s heels, Cyber Monday will take the spotlight on December 2, 2024, owing to Thanksgiving’s late timing this year. Expect many Black Friday deals to linger through Cyber Monday, sometimes rebranded but still compelling. Keep an eye out for exclusive offers unique to Cyber Monday that we’ll be highlighting as they become available.
