Microsoft has launched Office 365 Personal in Singapore and announced the pricing for software. Designed for consumers, Office 365 Personal allows users to install Office on one PC or one Mac, as well as one tablet device, which is currently the iPad. Windows-based tablets already come bundled with Office software.

When TechBlogger covered the announcement last month, the advice was to compare the Office 365 Personal package with that for Office 365 Home Premium, now renamed Office 365 Home, to see which offers the better deal.

Office 365 Personal costs S$89 a year, either through retailers or online at the Microsoft store. A monthly arrangement is also available through the Microsoft store, for S$9.80 a month. The deal is sweetened further with a number of launch offers. Microsoft Singapore is offering a free limited edition Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 with every retail purchase of Microsoft Office 365 Personal. Users who buy a new PC, Windows 8 tablet or a Mac at the same time and on the same receipt are also eligible for a S$20 discount.  Users should note that other terms and conditions may apply.

Office 365 Home, on the other hand, costs S$138 a year for five PCs or Macs, and selected mobile devices. Those who buy Office 365 Home with a new PC, Windows 8 tablet or a Mac can qualify for a S$30 discount.

All Office 365 subscriptions are entitled to 27 GB of cloud storage with OneDrive a year, 60 free Skype world calling minutes per month for the main account holder, and always-updated software. The subscriptions contrast with the traditional single licence versions for S$189 for Office Home & Student 2013, which is for non-commercial use, and S$299 for Home & Business 2013. Traditional versions do not qualify for cloud storage or Skype minutes, nor automatic updates to major new versions of the software.

Office 365 Personal is now available at all authorised retailers in Singapore, including at Best Denki, Courts, Challenger, Harvey Norman, and Newstead, or via the Microsoft store from April 15. The promotions last till June 30 or until stocks last, whichever is earlier.

For more information about Office 365, visit http://office.microsoft.com/en-sg/. Read our coverage of the US announcement of Office 365 Personal here.