Microsoft pointed to a first quarter release of Office 2013 following its release to PC OEMS in October last year. It also shipped its Microsoft Surface tablet with Office 2013, along with a handful of other Windows 8 devices, suggesting that its productivity suite couldn't be too far behind.

Microsoft claims that Office 2013 is the most "ambitious" version of the productivity suite yet, telling The INQUIRER last year, "[It] has a fresh, touch friendly design that works beautifully on Windows 8 and unlocks modern scenarios in social, reading, note-taking, meetings and communications."