Office 2007 vs Office 2003 for new Win 7 64-bit laptop

[hallydai]

I have a new thinkpad laptop that came installed with Office Professional 2007 trial. I have an existing license for Office 2003 Small Business which I was running on my prior laptop.

While I like the enhancements made to 2007 (vs 2003), I definitely don't need all the modules that come with Professional (publisher, business contact manager). From what I've read, if I don't convert the trial to the same version, I will have to uninstall and re-install the version that I choose.

So, it seems that I have the following options:

1) Upgrade my existing 2003 license to 2007 Small Business (I'm not sure whether or not I will need to install 2003 before I install 2007 for the "upgrade" licensing to work)

2) Install 2003 Small Business and wait until Office 2010 comes out and upgrade at that point.

3) Buy Office Home and Student 2007 and Outlook 2007 as separate modules and install (from what I can tell this is is about $60 less than the Small Business upgrade and has the modules that I use regularly).

I would love to hear input/comments/suggestions on what my best course of action is. I don't want to be penny-wise and pound foolish and I want to keep my new laptop efficient and running smoothly.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Peaches]

I would wait until Office 2010 comes out because it will have added features and most likely will work better than 2007. You don't want to buy 2007 now and then want to buy 2010 later.

That's just what I would do personally, but do whatever you feel is best for you.

 

[win7clutz]

I like option #2. Office 2003 will run fine on Win 7 64 so I'd wait for Office 2010.

 

[hallydai]

Thanks to both of you for your comments. I feel comfortable with that as well.

 

[hallydai]

Okay - quick addendum. Can't find my install disks for Office 2003. I have the license key but either I didn't get the disks or misplaced them during a move. I have tried looking on Microsoft's site for a download version of the software but haven't any luck. Is it possible to find this somewhere or is it too old? Thanks again.