bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Student With Encarta Premium 2008 (Full Product)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 10 Days

Strengths: It has good guides to most of the problems.

Weaknesses: There are not answers and clues to all the problems for the textbooks. It skips some of the most difficult problems. I don't know why. It ask for more money when I really want to get the clue.

Summary: I wish that the all the problems in text books have clues but seems like it's skipping the difficult ones that my daughter need clues in most. It asks for more money in tutoring or graphic tools. Graphic tools are probably reasonable still since it's under $30 annually. But I thought it was little bit pitty to skip the hardest problems to ask for more money.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: Many Encarta Updates improve the product.

Weaknesses: Microsoft constant changes to the user interface makes usage harder than necessary

Summary: Encarta works well enough, but I do not like the installation of the Student interface. I do not like the changes to the Encarta interface and I find it difficult to quickly find the information I want.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Attractive, intuitive, responsive interface. Tons of learning tools, reference material. Options for younger and older students. Microsoft Math is great for writing expressions and equations. College admission tools. Helpful prescreened Web links. Languag

Weaknesses: Hard drive hog. Taxes lower-resolution display systems. No Mac OS version.

Summary: Microsoft Student wraps a huge trove of information and study tools into an attractive, responsive, and affordable package. The suite's Math Tools, included Encarta Premium encyclopedia, and report help can give any student a useful assist and make learning more fun along the way.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: Useful tool for school/college student

Weaknesses: Navigation is complicated and not very intuitive.

Summary: I bought this for my niece, she is in 9th grade. According to her it is very useful for assignments and homeworks, little hard to get used to the navigation at the beginning. This product is thoughtfully designed for the student althought it comes with entire Encarta encyclopedia. I personally found the search feature is a little tedious (after you get used to Google search) but works. overall it is a good product.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Complete encyclopedia with many photos videos and sound clips

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This program was a great value with rebate and savings. With new updated information the encyclopedia works great and is east to use. Still have not used the homework assistant and math programs.