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In with the new and out with the old—Apple's updated both of its iApp suites and the new features are tempting to say the least. Whether you're eyeing iPhoto's hot new face recognition and geo-tagging functionality or Keynote's wicked cool new effects and transitions, there's a lot to want in both iLife '09 and iWork '09.

Retail, shmetail...

Nevertheless, regardless of how much horsepower's under the hood, there is no excuse for paying Apple's suggested retail prices ($79, $99; single license, family pack) for either iLife or iWork '09.

Of course, iLife '09 won't ship until "late January." However, by far the most-affordable way to purchase Apple's iPhoto-iMovie-GarageBand-iWeb-iDVD application suite is via the iLife Up-to-Date Program. If you purchase a qualifying Mac (that ships with the '08 version) between between Jan 6 and Mar 31, you can upgrade to iLife '09 for $9.95 + tax.

For those of us that won't be buying a new Mac any time soon, the next best bet for reduced pricing on iWork and iLife '09 comes via MacMall ($74, $94), ClubMac ($74, $94) and Amazon ($79, $99).

The above links are for iWork '09 (ie iLife's not shipping yet) and the prices are for single license and family license, respectively.

Legacy software rocks

Of course, as iWork '09 is shipping and iLife '09 is just around the corner, resellers are blowing out last year's versions with fat, phat discounts available.

iWork & iLife '08 pricing:

① Amazon—iWork Single license, $62.99; Family Pack $79.99
—iLife Single license, $56.25; Family Pack $79.99
② MacMall—iWork Single license, $69.98, Family Pack $86.99
—iLife Single license, $69.98; Family Pack $86.99
③ ClubMac—iWork Single license, $69.98, Family Pack $86.99
—iLife Single license, $69.98; Family Pack $86.99

So, for the '09 versions, MacMall and ClubMac have the better offers. But, for the '08 iterations, Amazon's obviously got the best prices.

Have you found better deals elsewhere? Don't be a skinflint! Share it with us all...

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