Seattle: Microsoft Corp. is all set to bring out three different versions of its  suite in January next year (2008). Microsoft said that Office 2008 for Mac Home and student version that comprises three licenses for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage, an e-mail/calendar/contacts program, will be available at just $150.

A $400 edition for experts who make use of Apple Inc. computers, simply known as Office 2008 for Mac, consists of the similar programs as Home and Student, as well as the capability to attach to a Windows Exchange server.

A third version, the $500 Special Media Edition, adds up features to the $400 pattern, incorporating Expression Media, a program, which aids computer users arrange and control digital photos, video and other files.

Microsoft sells Expression Media for $299.

All the upcoming versions work on Intel-based Macs and older PowerPC machines. Microsoft has planned to announce the program and pricing on Tuesday at Apple Expo in Paris, France.

Apple declared in August that it appended a spreadsheet program to iWork, the company’s own productivity software group. Apple sells individual licenses for $80 and family packs that let users to set up the programs on five different computers, for $100.

Amanda Lefebvre, marketing manager for Microsoft's Macintosh business unit, said, “Microsoft's offering is a really robust suite compared to iWork.”

Microsoft is providing an upgrade program for Office for Apple users who don't want to wait till next year.