When it comes to buying software I typically prefer to have CDs or DVDs that I can keep up with rather than a digital file that I can lose or erase accidentally. Still, I can see the appeal of having all the software you use in digital files so you don’t need to keep up with discs.

The Dell download store announced today that it has added the ability to download Microsoft software like Word, Excel, and Outlook. The advantage of getting the software as a digital download is that you can save a bit of money.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 sells for $129.99 rather than the $149.99 you would pay for it in stores. Dell also allows you to reload software to a new PC or to fix issues like a crashed hard drive by storing purchases in a user’s digital locker.

Dell