Shopping for a business office course often means picking up the required software textbook. If your course uses Microsoft Office 365 and Word 2019, you may find two copies of the same Illustrated title from Duffy and Cram. The decision comes down to price and condition: one copy is listed at $28.07, the other at $14.85. Here's how to choose.
Quick verdict
If you want the copy that the description calls well-cared-for, with limited use and all pages included, the higher-priced listing is the safer purchase. If you're looking to spend as little as possible and can accept a book that shows visible wear and possible highlighting, the lower-priced copy is the one to pick. The price gap between the two is $13.22, and the condition notes differ accordingly.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Price | Price Bar | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illustrated Microsoft Office - Paperback (Duffy/Cram) | USD 28.07 | Trade Paperback | |
| Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Word 2019 Comprehensive (MindTap Course L) | USD 14.85 | Trade Paperback |
Both share the ISBN 9780357025727 and the New Edition feature, so the content should match. The deciding factors are the condition descriptions and the price.
Where each copy makes sense
Choose the higher-priced copy if... You want a book that's described as having seen limited use, with all pages included and only minor signs of wear. The higher price buys you a more reassuring condition note, though the description does mention that slight markings or highlighting may be present.
Choose the lower-priced copy if... You're on a tight budget and just need a readable reference for your course. The description states the pages are still intact and readable, but you should expect visible wear: curled corners, possible stains, folding, heavy highlighting or handwriting, and possibly a cracked spine. No discs or access codes are included.
Product notes
Illustrated Microsoft Office - Paperback, by Duffy Jennifer; Cram - Very Good
This copy is listed at USD 28.07, making it the higher-priced of the two options. The description says it's a "well-cared-for item that has seen limited use" with all pages included, though it may show minor signs of wear and slight markings. If you want the cleanest possible reading experience between these two, this is the copy to choose. The main drawback is the price - you're paying $13.22 more than the other copy for a better-condition description. Also, the listing doesn't promise a pristine interior; it says there may be slight markings or highlighting. If you plan to write in the margins, that might not be a problem, but it's a detail to keep in mind.
Illustrated Microsoft Office 365 & Word 2019 Comprehensive (MindTap Course L)
This listing is the lower-priced option at USD 14.85. The description is upfront about the condition: the cover may have curled corners, corner dings, or stains; pages may have stains, folded corners, heavy highlighting, handwriting, or underlining; pages may be yellowed; and the spine could be cracked. On the plus side, the pages are still intact and readable, and the price is $13.22 lower than the other copy. A clear limitation is that no discs or access codes are expected, so if your course relies on online access, this copy may not include it. For someone who just needs the textbook itself and is comfortable with a worn copy, this is a practical way to keep costs down.
Final choice by use case
- If you need a desk copy that looks and feels well-maintained, the higher-priced listing is the one to go for.
- If you want to spend the least money and are okay with a book that shows wear, the lower-priced listing will do.
- If your course materials depend on an access code, note that the lower-priced description explicitly states no discs or access codes are included, so you may need to look elsewhere for that component.
