Microsoft has said that it will launch the next generation of Office for Mac in the US towards the end of October.

A free upgrade to the latest version of the suite will be given to anyone who purchases the current Office for Mac product before the new box launches.

The package features all the usual suspects such as Word, Excel and other popular desktop programs. Two versions will be sold, Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 and Office for Mac Home and Business 2011.

Both come with Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Messenger; the Home and Business edition includes Outlook, Microsoft's e-mail, calendar and contacts software.

The Home and Student edition will cost US$119 to install on one computer, or $149 to install on three. New Zealand prices have yet to be confirmed by Microsoft.

Update: Microsoft has confirmed the October date for New Zealand and revealed local pricing. Here are the details:

Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Student 2011: Word for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, Excel for Mac and Messenger for Mac, and will retail starting at $219 NZ recommended retail price [RRP]).

It will be available in two editions — a single install for $219 (NZ RRP) and a Family Pack for $259 (NZ RRP) with three installs for families with more than one Mac in their household. The Home and Student edition provides the core productivity applications that Mac users want and need.

Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Business 2011: Word for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, Excel for Mac, Outlook for Mac and Messenger for Mac, and will retail starting at $379 (NZ RRP).

It also will be available in two editions — a single install for $379 (NZ RRP) and a Multi-Pack for $499 (NZ RRP) with two installs for a user with two machines. If Home and Student customers determine that they need the additional functionality of a desktop e-mail client, they can easily step up to Office for Mac 2011 Home and Business using online upgrade functionality.