Microsoft promises new version of Office for the Mac in 2014

After essentially ignoring the productivity needs of Apple computer owners for three years, a fully updated Office suite, offering the same functionality as the PC version, is finally on its way.

After essentially ignoring the productivity needs of Apple computer owners for three years, a fully updated Office suite, offering the same functionality as the PC version, is finally on its way.

The last time Microsoft launched a new Mac edition of Office -- Office:mac 2011 -- was actually back in 2010. And since then, with the exception of a software update that enabled it to be used with the Office 365 subscription, things have been very quiet.

Adding to the uncertanty is that historically, Microsoft has only offered full support to an Apple version of Office for five years, compared with the 10 years of support it offers PC versions. This meant that the latest version of Office is only two years away from retirement. No more bug patches or other updates.

However, at this week's CeBIT tech fair in Hanover, Germany, Microsoft's Thorsten Hübschen confirmed that a new Mac-centric Office suite is on the way and should debut before the end of the year.

And Apple owners that have upgraded to the Office 365 subscription via Office:mac 2011 will receive the new version free of charge when it launches.