You've got to hand it to those guys in Microsoft. Hardly a year goes by without the launch of an upgrade to Microsoft's suite of office applications.

It was just two years ago when Windows 2000 hit the shops persuading computer geeks everywhere to rush out and buy the product with the hyperactive "paperclip" assistant.

One senior Microsoft executive admitted this week one of the strongest features of Office XP was the fact the company hadn't tried to cram in many new features.

The Margin agrees wholeheartedly. There is very little difference in the upgrade for the average computer user except perhaps that the "paperclip" assistant has been axed.

This begs the question: Is it really worth the retail price of £535 or upgrade price of £248?