STACK #260 June 2026

TECH FEATURE

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If you're setting up a new laptop, it's important to consider the value you get from a Microsoft 365 subscription. It unlocks the full laptop experience, giving you the apps and cloud services millions use every day for work, study, and creativity. Here are five things you may not know about M365. Words James O’Connor Why Microsoft 365 matters when buying a laptop

Here’s what’s included with a one-year M365 subscription: Apps and services: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, Microsoft Editor, Clipchamp, Copilot, and more. M365 Personal: One user/up to five devices M365 Family: Up to six users/up to five devices each Each user receives 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. Family plans also make it easy to share access across multiple users and devices, helping households stay connected, organised, and backed up. What’s included at a glance Generous cloud storage is included Cloud storage has become essential for modern computing, and an M365 sub includes 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage per user. That gives you plenty of space for documents, photos, videos, and backups, securely accessible across your devices. It can also automatically back up photos, files, and important memories from your devices, so if your old laptop suddenly fails, everything is safely stored in the cloud and ready to sync to a new one. Microsoft’s built-in security protections also help keep your files safe and protected.

Everything is bundled together When you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you're getting access to a powerful suite of Microsoft apps, tools, and features, including:

M365 works everywhere Your M365 account isn't locked to one device. You can access apps, files, and tools across phones, laptops, desktop PCs, and tablets, with everything synced in real time. Start a Word document on your laptop at home, edit it on your phone, and then finish it on a tablet or desktop later. It’s designed to move with you, no matter which devices you use day to day. That flexibility also means your important files are always within reach when you need them.

Word for documents and assignments Excel for spreadsheets and budgets PowerPoint for presentations Outlook for email and organisation Copilot , your AI-powered productivity assistant OneDrive cloud storage for backup and file access Editor for writing assistance Add M365 to your new laptop and you've got the complete starter pack for everyday computing – from assignments and budgets to presentations, email, and secure cloud backup. Full versions of these premium apps and services require an active M365 subscription, helping you to get more from your device. If you only need M365 for yourself, a Personal subscription* can be used across your own devices. But if you want the whole family connected across the ecosystem, the M365 Family option** has you covered. A Family plan supports up to six users, with each receiving access to the full suite of apps plus 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. Users don’t need to be in the same household or using the same devices to enjoy the benefits.

Flexible options for individuals and families Enjoy ongoing updates, security and new features Because M365 is a subscription service, your apps and features continue evolving over time with ongoing updates, security improvements, and new tools.

Eligible M365 plans also include access to Copilot AI features, helping users brainstorm ideas, summarise info, refine writing, and streamline everyday tasks. Microsoft Defender security features are also updated regularly to help protect against emerging cyber threats, giving users extra peace of mind. Another useful inclusion is Clipchamp, Microsoft’s video editor, which supports 4K exports and makes it easy to create polished videos using filters, effects, and simple editing tools.

It’s an easy way to keep everyone connected with the tools they need for work, study, creativity, and everyday organisation.

*M365 Personal: This is an auto-renewal subscription. Credit card or PayPal required to activate and use. **M365 Family: This is an auto-renewal subscription. Credit card or PayPal required to activate and use. 12-month subscription for one to six people. Includes AI features for one person – subscription owner only; cannot be shared.

20 JUNE 2026

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