Office 2010 RTM next month, May 12 for Biz - June 15 for consumers

Microsoft said on Friday that it will release Office 2010 to manufacturing in April and provide businesses with copies of the latest Office suite on May 12.

In a company blog posting, Jevon Fark of Microsoft Office marketing, provided some information on the Office 2010 Technology Guarantee. Last month Neowin revealed Microsoft's plans for the guarantee program. Customers who purchase Office 2007, or a new PC with Office 2007, and activate it between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010 will be offered a free upgrade to Office 2010. Copies will be available online, via download, at no additional cost.

Fark confirmed that Microsoft is on target for an Office 2010 RTM next month. "We're excited to confirm that Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, Visio 2010 and Project 2010 are on schedule and will release to manufacturing (RTM) next month."

Microsoft also officially confirmed that the business launch for Office 2010 is on May 12. Consumers will not be able to purchase the product until June. Although Microsoft officials will not confirm the exact date, Neowin firmly believes this will be June 15. In January Microsoft announced Office 2010 pricing. The professional edition will retail for $499 boxed.  Office 2010 will be released in at least five different flavours, including a free version that includes Microsoft Word and Excel, but comes with limited functionality and includes advertisements. The editions of Office 2010 will include Starter, Home and Student, Home and Business, Professional and Professional Academic