Choosing between business office courses can be less about finding a general introduction and more about matching the book to the Microsoft Office version and learning format you need. These two spiral-bound first-course textbooks cover familiar Office applications, but they take different approaches: *New Perspectives Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition* emphasizes lessons, exercises, and projects, while *Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course* uses an illustrated, side-by-side instructional layout.
Quick verdict
Pick Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition when your work or course specifically centers on Office 2007 and you want coverage that names Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Windows basics. Pick Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course when Office 2013 is the relevant version and visual screen references alongside instructions sound more useful.
The deciding factor is the software generation and teaching presentation, not binding: both books are listed in spiral format. The listed-price gap is $3.45, while the condition descriptions also differ.
At-a-glance comparison
| Detail | Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition | Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 12.00 | USD 8.55 |
| Named software focus | Office 2007; Windows basics | Office 2013; Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 |
| Learning approach | Step-by-step lessons, practical exercises, and project-based training | Illustrated two-page layout with side-by-side visual screen references |
| Applications named | Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint | Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint |
| Condition | Like New | Acceptable |
| Format | Spiral | Spiral |
Where each book wins
Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition is the clearer fit for an Office 2007-specific assignment or self-directed curriculum. Its description explicitly frames the material around introductory skills and practical, project-based training across several core applications. It also carries a Like New condition description.
Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course is the better match when the target is Office 2013 and a highly visual lesson format matters. Its Illustrated Series approach places directions and screen references side by side, which makes it a natural choice for readers who prefer to follow application tasks in short visual steps.
Product notes
Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition
This is a focused pick for learners using Microsoft Office 2007 who want one introductory book spanning Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Windows basics. The stated mix of step-by-step lessons, practical exercises, and project-based training gives it a more assignment-oriented structure than a book limited to explanation alone. Its 2009 publication year and Like New condition description may also appeal to shoppers looking for this particular edition in the listed condition. The limitation is straightforward: its course content is specifically framed around Office 2007. A reader whose class materials or computer tasks use Office 2013 will get a closer title-level match from the Illustrated First Course instead.
Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course
Choose this book for an introductory Office 2013 course where visually guided instruction is the priority. The Illustrated Series two-page layout pairs directions with screen references, and the named content moves from computer and Windows essentials into Word documents, Excel formulas and charts, Access queries and reports, and PowerPoint presentations. That structure suits readers who prefer to see the interface while working through a task. Its listed USD 8.55 price is the lower of the two options. The tradeoff is the Acceptable condition description, and its Windows material is specifically tied to Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 alongside Office 2013.
Final choice by use case
Choose Microsoft Office 2007 First Course Premium Video Edition for Office 2007 coursework, especially if project-based exercises and a Like New copy are central to your decision. Choose Microsoft Office 2013 Illustrated Introductory, First Course for Office 2013 learning, visual side-by-side guidance, and the lower listed price. If either software version could work, the $3.45 spread and the difference between Like New and Acceptable condition make the final preference a choice between physical condition and the illustrated 2013-focused format.
