<p>What are the differences? D can buy MAC - MS Office 2011 - Select Version for $59 or MAC - MS Office 2011 Academic for $99. The descriptions on her college computing site are pretty much the same except for Outlook and Messenger. Does she need these if she will be using the college email site?</p>
<p>A lot of schools (sigh) use Outlook these days but it can be accessed thru a web client pretty handily. For Windows at least you can get Messenger for free. If these are the only two differences, go for the cheaper one.</p>
<p>If you’re an Outlook addict like I am with a Windows Phone, the client makes life a bit easier.</p>
<p>Apple’s Mail app is very good. Outlook is just bloat on a Mac.</p>
<p>Thunderbird is a good free alternative to Outlook too. Although I’ve never used Apple’s Mail app, that may be better for Macs. I love Outlook on Windows, by far the best (hate using Lotus at work), but may not be worth the extra cost to you.</p>
<p>If she is using the college email site? Then no.</p>