Microsoft Office 2004 Shipping

[MacRumors]

Several readers have reported that the first copies of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac have started shipping.

Mac Office 2004 was previewed by Microsoft at MacWorld Expo San Francisco in January with expected shipment in May (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/04/20040406090416.shtml).

The newest version of Office for the Mac offers several new features (http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004Demo) and improvements, including a new Project Center, PowerPoint Presenter Tools, and notetaking capabilities in Word.

[P-Worm]

I use Office, and I think it is a great suite. Now, there are bound to be some Macheads that disagree because it's Microsoft, but give it a chance.

P-Worm

[Windowlicker]

it finally has the finnish spelling dictionary. :)

damn you, p-worm! you stole my first first post!!

[van2van2]

I preordered on amazon and it has a ship date of the 17th.. :confused:

[Foxer]

Where is this showing up?

[bitfactory]

I use Office, and I think it is a great suite. Now, there are bound to be some Macheads that disagree because it's Microsoft, but give it a chance.

P-Worm

i gave it a chance (for it's supposed Exchange Server integration), and i disagree... its a waste for folks like me who need that.

if you like transparent palettes, by all means run out and get it.

[Veldek]

Is VPC 7 already part of it? Hopefully, we can get some impressions/benchmarks soon.

[Elan0204]

Is VPC 7 already part of it? Hopefully, we can get some impressions/benchmarks soon.


VPC7 is supposed to be part of the professional edition of office, which won't ship until mid-July.

[DGFan]

I just can't find any reason to upgrade. I don't need a "project center" since I use all the Apple apps for that. All I use is Word and I can't see that anything significant has been added.

(Sorry, Finns aren't significant to me - that's a few generations back in my family tree :) )

[Tagada]

I just can't find any reason to upgrade. I don't need a "project center" since I use all the Apple apps for that. All I use is Word and I can't see that anything significant has been added.

(Sorry, Finns aren't significant to me - that's a few generations back in my family tree :) )

Unicode, long filename support, better than ever cross plateform support, revision mode "à la Office XP", notes view, faster, lower CPU usage...

and a finnish dict :)

[bryanc]

I suspect we'll eventually upgrade, but, apart from PowerPoint (which sucks...but then that's why we use Keynote), Office X is perfectly serviceable for our purposes.

We use Word and Excell fairly heavily, and some of the new features may be nice, but most people want their software to stay the same (unless there is some annoying bug or missing feature). The Office package is sufficiently mature that there's not much missing from most people's POV. So a new version isn't very attractive. It would just mean relearning how to do things you can already do effectively with existing tools.

So, to me, this appears to be a hammer with a bunch of new features like a built-in TV and coffee machine. Sorry...but my existing hammer pounds nails just fine.

Cheers

[BWhaler]

I didn't really need the new profiles features either, but bought the full version:

1. To get long file names. This limitation is simply painful to me and my organization
2. To support Apple. Having Office is critical for the Mac to survive, so I am doing my part to give MS the incentive to keep Office on the Mac.

Does it piss me off to spend 250 bucks to get long file names? Yes.

Is it crazy to send Redmond money to support Apple? Yes.

Does it piss me off? Yes.

But considering a world without the Mac, I'm picking the lessor of evils.

[sickracer2015]

VPC7 is supposed to be part of the professional edition of office, which won't ship until mid-July.

This is wrong.. I ordered the Professional Suite and I did get an email to say the order was delayed until the end of may.. not mid july

[wdlove]

VPC7 is supposed to be part of the professional edition of office, which won't ship until mid-July.

That is the version that I've ordered. So I should receive it around MacWorld Boston. :)

[mikemorris1]

Does anyone know what build number is shipping?

[gregorypierce]

I'm waiting to see how VPC7 is before I decide which version of this suite I will pick up (if any).

[Borg3of5]

I wonder how long it'll take for this to show up on P2P networks? The last version of M$ Office was/is widespread on these networks. :confused:

[mcdermd]

MS needs to hurry up and make a version of Access for mac. It seems like that's the only program that keeps some people I know from switching (have a few small business friends that use access for client DB's). Maybe Office 2005?

[Trimix]

I'll surely get it with my new G5 i-mac :p

[blackcrayon]

MS needs to hurry up and make a version of Access for mac. It seems like that's the only program that keeps some people I know from switching (have a few small business friends that use access for client DB's). Maybe Office 2005?

Microsoft's answer to this would be "That's why we include Virtual PC with the Professional Version of Mac Office".

(Hey, on a dual 2 ghz G5, VPC 7 should be able to handle Access.. At least as well as a 333 mhz Pentium II or so ;)

[SiliconAddict]

MS needs to hurry up and make a version of Access for mac. It seems like that's the only program that keeps some people I know from switching (have a few small business friends that use access for client DB's). Maybe Office 2005?

Try never. Why do you think they left Access out? For the exact reason you commented on. To neuter Apple in the corp arena.

Rule #1 about Microsoft. They don't do ANYTHING out of the goodness of their hearts. Mac Office is around for one and only one reason. To keep the antitrust vultures off of MS's back. The amount of cash Mac Office brings in is pathetically small compared to Windows/Office for Windows. In fact I'd be interested in seeing if it even covers development costs.

[geerlingguy]

I personally hope the Note Taking feature is all it's made out to be; I am entering college next year and would be very happy if that feature works as promised. I bought Office v.X in February, and paid $20 to get the 2004 guarantee.

[DGFan]

Unicode, long filename support, better than ever cross plateform support, revision mode "à la Office XP", notes view, faster, lower CPU usage...

and a finnish dict :)

Can anyone verify that it supports honest-to-goodness Unicode? And does so properly? It always was annoying that Cyrillic characters never show up right.

That feature may be worth paying $150 for eventually....

[MacFan25]

I'm debating on whether I should order it or not. If I were to buy it, I would get the student discount, but it is still kind of expensive.

I may just wait to see if people really like the new features, and if it performs better.

[Falleron]

What I want to know is if there is a good exchange client?? Entourage X just does not do what I need to do!!

Any ideas/info about Entourage 2004??

[bitfactory]

What I want to know is if there is a good exchange client?? Entourage X just does not do what I need to do!!

Any ideas/info about Entourage 2004??

yeah - it still sucks, big time. don't get fooled by some of these people who'll tell you it works fine... it doesn't if you want REAL exchange server support. i think the service update to OfficeX last summer is more compatible. smtp? what a joke.

stick with Outlook 2001 in Classic. at least it works.

ARRGGG!, just carbon that app... if Adobe can do Photoshop, you can surely carbonize Outlook.

[Manatee]

MS needs to hurry up and make a version of Access for mac. It seems like that's the only program that keeps some people I know from switching (have a few small business friends that use access for client DB's). Maybe Office 2005?

That would really be great. I'd spend a lot less time in Virtual PC. I know old time Mac users are comfortable with FileMaker, but it's just not for me. I want something that gives the appearance of working like a traditional SQL database product, and being able to develop apps just like on a PC would be a tremendous impetus for many individuals and small businesses to switch to the Mac world.

[originalknife]

Was pleasantly surprised to discover my student/teacher edition package on my doorstep several days ahead of schedule. Just installing now. As for new features, I'm hoping I like the Notebook view in Word. I'll be sorry to be moving off Notetaker, which it looks like a copy of, but it makes sense to for me to do all my word processing and note taking in one place.

[impierced]

yeah - it still sucks, big time. don't get fooled by some of these people who'll tell you it works fine... it doesn't if you want REAL exchange server support. i think the service update to OfficeX last summer is more compatible. smtp? what a joke.

stick with Outlook 2001 in Classic. at least it works.

ARRGGG!, just carbon that app... if Adobe can do Photoshop, you can surely carbonize Outlook.

While I fully agree that a carbon version of Outlook would be ideal, however, you're mistaken about the Office 10.1.4 update being more compatible with Exchange than Entrouage 2004.

With Entourage 2004 it's OWA all the way. Yes, it's not MAPI, but it's a sight better than the hybrid IMAP/SMTP/WebDAV client that Entrouage 10.1.4 was.

[backspinner]

Does it piss me off to spend 250 bucks to get long file names? Yes.
Same here!

[Falleron]

yeah - it still sucks, big time. don't get fooled by some of these people who'll tell you it works fine... it doesn't if you want REAL exchange server support. i think the service update to OfficeX last summer is more compatible. smtp? what a joke.

stick with Outlook 2001 in Classic. at least it works.

ARRGGG!, just carbon that app... if Adobe can do Photoshop, you can surely carbonize Outlook.
The thing that gets me! You create different identities in EntourageX + then say switch to a different user. It asks for a password. However, if you click cancel you still see somebody elses EMAILS!!

What sort of lame security is it!!! I still use Outlook 2001 in classic but want to get rid of OS9 ASAP.

[bitfactory]

The thing that gets me! You create different identities in EntourageX + then say switch to a different user. It asks for a password. However, if you click cancel you still see somebody elses EMAILS!!

What sort of lame security is it!!! I still use Outlook 2001 in classic but want to get rid of OS9 ASAP.

yep - Outlook is my last app in OS9... every morning as i watch Classic start up i grumble "m^#%@*... c%@&^#&!!*&@...b*&@*#@!)

maybe... someday. and OWA? spare me. MAPI is the only exchange format i'm interested in.

[Falleron]

yep - Outlook is my last app in OS9... every morning as i watch Classic start up i grumble "m^#%@*... c%@&^#&!!*&@...b*&@*#@!)

maybe... someday. and OWA? spare me. MAPI is the only exchange format i'm interested in.
I dont get it!! There must be SOOOOO many people having this problem??? Why are there no solutions??

[aswitcher]

Was pleasantly surprised to discover my student/teacher edition package on my doorstep several days ahead of schedule. Just installing now. As for new features, I'm hoping I like the Notebook view in Word. I'll be sorry to be moving off Notetaker, which it looks like a copy of, but it makes sense to for me to do all my word processing and note taking in one place.


Please post a review. Also can you confirm you can upgrade to professional cheaply?

[pimentoLoaf]

Any idea if Entourage users get a upgrade price? In the past, you had to buy Word or Excel to get a special price.

[henryhbk]

Does anyone know what build number is shipping?

The build in the about box of Entourage is Version 11.0.0 (040405), Word is (040408), Excel (040329), PPT (040330)

Mine is the Student/Teacher version, ordered from the Apple Store, and shipped yesterday, and arrived today (5/11)

[LordAardvark]

While I fully agree that a carbon version of Outlook would be ideal, however, you're mistaken about the Office 10.1.4 update being more compatible with Exchange than Entrouage 2004.

With Entourage 2004 it's OWA all the way. Yes, it's not MAPI, but it's a sight better than the hybrid IMAP/SMTP/WebDAV client that Entrouage 10.1.4 was.

I'm awaiting Office 2004 so I can test Entourage 2004 and see if it's good enough to actually use. Entourage X was very disappointing. My users are using Outlook via Classic.

I don't think the IMAP/SMTP/WebDAV was a bad design, I think it was badly implemented. For one, Thunderbird is a far better _mail only_ client to Exchange 2003 than Entourage X (or Mail.app). It supports IMAP Idle, so messages were delivered instantly (the client doesn't poll, the IMAP server notifies it that mail is ready similar to how MAPI Exhange clients work). I didn't test with older Exchange servers, but 2003 worked perfectly. It was also far more responsive in downloading messages and in normal usage.

I was hoping that MS spent the last year fixing the bugs in the existing code and adding standard IMAP features to improve support. Now it seems they have chosen to implement totally new code and go with all OWA. It has the advantages of being unified (everything accessed the same way) and of using methods that the PC users use as well. Hopefully this works better and doesn't end up being another good idea badly implemented.

[Doctor Q]

What is the installation process like?

[jackieonasses]

i wish apple could come out with a *comparitive* suite.......

that apple works..dont work for me!

[DaBuzz]

I got mine today at 11 AM, and have been trying to explore all its features. I'm no Microsoft-admirer, but they hit a home run here (with the exception of MSN Messenger...I wish they had put iChat presence awareness in Entourage).

Entourage is fantastic. It will be close whether iTunes, Safari, or Entourage are my most-used apps. Already started a project in the Project center, and it seems more than suited for managing smaller, workgroup style projects.

The one thing that changed, however, were my calendar invitations: Entourage no longer gives me the "Accept/Decline" message. Do I need to make Entourage the default application for .ics files (the Internet iCal standard format)? If so, how do I do it? If someone can send me a test invitation, I'd like to see if I can reproduce it consistently.

My PC friend, who works out of his home, was very impressed with Project Center. It seems very geared toward SOHO types, but can even be used in larger environments.

Just starting to explore Word.

Only real grip is that I think it is still a Carbon app. Either Apple or Microsoft should offer a plug-in for Safari to mail links, pages, etc.

[jadren0]

You create different identities in EntourageX + then say switch to a different user. It asks for a password. However, if you click cancel you still see somebody elses EMAILS!!

What sort of lame security is it!!!

The regular Windows sort of lame security!

[JFreak]

does windows have security? naah... just take a look at www.microsoft.com and the first thing you see is how they try to tell you how to protect your pc ;) i find it funny...

[beware_phog]

What is different about the student edition? How do they know?

[QuiteSure]

I hope that Office Mac 2004 is more stable than Office.X, which seems to have been rushed to market for OS X.1. Word.X is the app most likely to bring down my entire system.

[gadg]

I just can't find any reason to upgrade. I don't need a "project center" since I use all the Apple apps for that.
What Apple apps? You mean colorizing stuff in iCal, Mail and the likes? What are you referring to?

For me personally, the project center is one of the reasons I would concider buying the new Office. It's also the main reason why I evaluated using Entourage 2004 over Mail.app, but I decided against it because Mail (and iCal and Address Book) are much more integrated into the rest of available applications. It'd be nice if the project center in Office 2004 would work with whatever project center functionality is in the Apple PIM trinity. Yeah, I shoulnd't hold my breath.

[happo]

it finally has the finnish spelling dictionary. :)

This feature only makes it a must purchase... Microsoft, be ready to receive some money.

[itsa]

Just looking at the "Office 2004 for Mac - Student and Teacher Edition"
Other than the price, is that one different than the Standard version?

[AustinForest]

Could one tell if the 2004 version of the Apps include the localized ressources (like MSN 4 for exemple) or not?

Thanks

[itsa]

Microsoft's site reads COMING SOON still.

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004

[wdlove]

Microsoft's site reads COMING SOON still.

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=office2004

I just noticed that the site was last updated on April 12th. :confused:

Last I heard that the Standard and Student Edition was available this month.

[Totalshock]

The notebook mode is fantastic if you take bulleted notes, and want something that's easy to expand and collapse nested bullet points. The voice recording capability is also really slick, and performs pretty well even recording a speaker a fair way away from the microphone, using only the internal mic on my PowerBook.

I love the way it puts "bookmarks" in the recording every time you start a new bullet, making it easy to just hear what the speaker was saying on a specific topic.

All in all, that's a killer app for me, and what I do.

Still can't be bothered with Entourage, don't do much with PowerPoint, and don't notice any difference between the current Excel and the old one, really.

[amberashby]

Anyone care to comment on the performance of the new Excel? I use very large spreadsheets and perform lots of vlookups on them. The Excel in Office X was horribly slow for what I was using it for. I have a dual 2.0G5 and the performance was much worse than the P4 1GHZ Windows machine I have at work running Office 2000.

Anyone test out Excel yet?


Thanks.

[JFreak]

Just looking at the "Office 2004 for Mac - Student and Teacher Edition"
Other than the price, is that one different than the Standard version?

software is identical, but license doesn't allow any kind of commercial use.

[itsa]

Ok all... where can I get the best price on the Reg version?

[patriotn11]

I ordered mine from Amazon on 05-11-04 got 1 day shipping and came to $150.00, thats with shipping and no TAX.

I was going to wait till Comp USA got it, then realized after tax I would have paid more and waited longer.


I happy :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001WN16M/103-9110972-6255007?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[DaBuzz]

I just noticed that the site was last updated on April 12th. :confused:

Last I heard that the Standard and Student Edition was available this month.

Yes but the Entourage FAQ and MVP pages are "Under Construction", probably to reflect Office 2004.

And the Microsoft MVPs have already been fielding questions on the newsgroups. I found a bug and someone from MS development was on it the same day.

[Chip NoVaMac]

This is wrong.. I ordered the Professional Suite and I did get an email to say the order was delayed until the end of may.. not mid july

I wonder how they will do it since they announced a delay till the last half of 2004 on VPC 7. Maybe they'll give you VPC 6 and a coupon for a free upgrade to 7.

[wdlove]

I wonder how they will do it since they announced a delay till the last half of 2004 on VPC 7. Maybe they'll give you VPC 6 and a coupon for a free upgrade to 7.

I agree that I would prefer that they not delay the professional edition. That would be an agreeable compromise to me if I got a free upgrade to VPC 7.

[numediaman]

Received my copy from Amazon this morning. Immediately could tell it was a typical Microsoft product by the vast amount of plastic involved and the really dumb installation process (one of the last installation options is the deletion of the old version. of course, it then asks where the old version is the minute you open an app! Luckily I didn't empty the trash can.)

I've been working with a version of Office written in 1776, so I won't review the product for you because it all seems new to me. (When did they do away with dot matrix printers?)

[Chip NoVaMac]

I've been working with a version of Office written in 1776, so I won't review the product for you because it all seems new to me. (When did they do away with dot matrix printers?)



That was known as the "quill and ink fountain" edition?

[Flowbee]

That was know as the "quill and ink fountain" edition?

Perfect for small and medium-sized colonies. Comes complete with 'Declaration of Independence' and 'Constitution' templates.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Perfect for small and medium-sized colonies. Comes complete with 'Declaration of Independence' and 'Constitution' templates.

Little known fact that this version spent many years in Beta as the code name "Magna Carta".

[ZildjianKX]

I found it interesting how there is only one office assistant now and there is no option to install more... if you copy the ones from the Office X disc into the "Assistants" folder, it will work fine in Office 2004.

Overall, office really needed an update (it has been 3 years, right?). I still like the most recent PC version of Office a lot better, but this will do for the next 3 years or so...

[amin]

I bought Ofiice 2004 Student and Teacher Edition in my local Apple store today, and I like it much better than Office 2003 for XP. Only one problem. I can't register it on the Microsoft site. It keeps telling my I have an invalid Product ID. Is it too early to register? Anyone else have this problem? Thanks, Amin

[aswitcher]

I bought Ofiice 2004 Student and Teacher Edition in my local Apple store today, and I like it much better than Office 2003 for XP.

Does Word and Excel support full hyperlinking?

[amin]

Does Word and Excel support full hyperlinking?

I'm not sure what you mean by full, but you can link from a Word or Excel file to another document, email address, or website; or a portion therein.

[aswitcher]

I'm not sure what you mean by full, but you can link from a Word or Excel file to another document, email address, or website; or a portion therein.

Thanks. I wasn;t sure if the mac version had all the features. :)

[JOD8FY]

I ordered mine from Amazon on 05-11-04 got 1 day shipping and came to $150.00, thats with shipping and no TAX.

I can top that! I got mine for FREE! I bought the v.X version after January so I got a free upgrade to Office 2004. It shipped out Friday 5/14 :) . Can't wait until it comes...

JOD8FY

[senseibiz]

I'm getting it tomorrow. I'll go to the apple store and use my student discount.

[ZildjianKX]

I'm getting it tomorrow. I'll go to the apple store and use my student discount.

Can you use your student discount at an Apple retail store? I asked them once when I tried to use mine, and they said they would only honor the student discount for hardware there. Maybe they told me wrong...

[amin]

They will give you the student discount on Office 2004 in the Apple Store. That's where I got mine. It's the only software in the store you can get the student discount on.

So anyone else having prolems trying to register and eing told that the product ID is not valid?

[Bonnie]

I like the new Office 2004. The notebook mode will be great for me since I am a student. It seems to be faster than the old Office used to be....but maybe that's just on my computer.

As for the Apple Store...they DO carry the Student and Teacher edition for $149. Typically, however, you can not receive your student discount on software there.

[PlaceofDis]

my product id wasnt valid either, wierd, they probably have to update their database or something whatever....

i do like the new features, not sure if i am going to fully appreciate the notebook feature until i get it down good though....time to explore

[arogge]

After seeing the advertised features, I looked at the Microsoft Office software again. It's neat, better than AppleWorks, and it has several functions that could be useful. But a major problem didn't appear to have been fixed. How do I get my saved files to standard XML so that I can use them on other computers? Converting Microsoft's proprietary Word and Excel files doesn't always maintain the original formatting and data. What's great about standard XML-formatted files is that I can take these files and open them under practically every major operating system. The format and structure is maintained regardless of the platform used to make changes to the documents. I can make a document under Linux, edit it on a Unix system, use it on a laptop with OS X, and distribute it to Windows users, all without the loss of format and structure.

[jimsowden]

Can you use your student discount at an Apple retail store? I asked them once when I tried to use mine, and they said they would only honor the student discount for hardware there. Maybe they told me wrong...
There is a student and teacher version that costs 150, and is a totally different box than the standard. It isn't just a discount. And they don't check ids for it.

[itsa]

There is a student and teacher version that costs 150, and is a totally different box than the standard. It isn't just a discount. And they don't check ids for it.


What is the difference? If I buy the Student/teacher version what am I not getting? Can someone please fill me in??

the ad for it says...
"Full versions of the leading productivity applications from Microsoft."
Why would anyone buy the reg version for more if it's the same thing?

[PlaceofDis]

The student and teacher version can only be purchased by either students or teachers obviously, so not everyone qualifies for that, also the student and teacher license agreement is that it cannot be used for comercail use, and its not upgradeable like the other versions, you have to buy a new copy every time...

[zoetropeuk]

MS needs to hurry up and make a version of Access for mac. It seems like that's the only program that keeps some people I know from switching (have a few small business friends that use access for client DB's). Maybe Office 2005?

For a start, Access uses MDAC which is a core component of the Windows OS so that won't be coming to the Mac ever.

Second, Access is simply the worst database available. I don't care how many people use it, it doesn't make it good.

Third, Access is a single user database. Yes you can have more than one user accessing the same data-file at the same time but it won't be long before your data-file is corrupt. It was designed from the ground up as a simple database solution for people with very simple needs. It only became popular because MS charges so god damn much for its SQL products.

Four, Filemaker 7.0 now well and truly kicks Access's butt as does mySQL, Openbase, Frontbase and any other DB that I can think of that is available for the Mac. The new schema relationship view in Filemaker is what access users are after I suppose.

For your small business friends I suggest they look at Daylite from Marketcircle (http://www.marketcircle.com) For client and sales management it can't be beat. You can very easily add custom forms and fields etc and takes hours to set-up instead of months that my friends have spent trying to get an access solution working.

The only people that use Access use it because they don't know any better, I used to be one of those idiots myself.

[itsa]

its not upgradeable like the other versions, you have to buy a new copy every time...

Ok thanks... that sucks! I'll just get the upgrade version then.

[denm316]

Anyone notice any improvements with Entourage and an Exchange server??

[denm316]

Anyone notice any improvements with Entourage and an Exchange server??

I meant Exchange 2003

[jeffbistrong]

Is there any like spanish/english dictionary included in office . . . if not anyone know a good spanish/english dictionary that they sell for mac?

[Borg3of5]

Is there any like spanish/english dictionary included in office . . . if not anyone know a good spanish/english dictionary that they sell for mac?

The new M$ Office Suite DOES have a Spanish/English dictionary. It works, pretty well. I constantly write documents, mainly emails, in Spanish and Entourage does a pretty good job. If you <control-click> on a red-underlined word, the app will suggest alternative words. Similarly, if you forget to properly show the accent on particular word, it'll be underlined in red. Pretty cool.

¡Espero que te ayude esto!
¡Cha-cha-cha!

[Borg3of5]

Anyone else having problems disabling the "for your privacy protection, the pictures in the this email...disable"-thing?

I *REALLY* hope that M$ hasn't made this a non-user-tweakeable feature of Entourage. It would really bite to have to click on the "Show Pictures" link on every message.

[jsw]

I just downloaded the trial version to see if there's anything of interest to cause me to buy the Student Version (my daughter's in school, but frankly I'd buy that version anyway, as there's no proof required and I don't run a business).

My primary interest was in PowerPoint to see how it compared to Keynote. As far as the other stuff goes, Office X works fine for me, as I don't use much except Word. Anyway, PowerPoint looks great, has excellent transitions, and seems competitive with Keynote. It doesn't have everything that Keynote has, and isn't as intuitive to use (unless, of course, by "intuitive" you mean "similar to previous Office versions", in which case, yes, it is "intuitive"). However, some of the new features - animations, primarily - are better than Keynote's. Overall, I was starting to get a bit excited. You see, I work at a Windows-based place (only a lucky few don't, I guess), and so I use my Mac at home (duh) and use Office to act as the langua franca. I've been using Keynote's QuickTime export as a "cheat" by making better-than-PowerPoint presentations and viewing them as a movie at work. I was hoping to do the same with PowerPoint 2004, but thinking that maybe it would work better at importing older PowerPoint based stuff that would get recycled as part of newer slides. Anyway, I'd still need to export things as a movie, and here it broke down....

Keynote exports QuickTime movies that are WYSIWYG. Powerpoint 2004 does NOT. Just about any transition or animation that's even vaguely cool does NOT make it into the movie. Boo, hiss.

I'm sure the other cool new features in the other apps are nice. But I don't think I'll be sending them $150.

[numediaman]

I've just spent the last week with Office 2004. The experience reminds me of a scene in Amadeus. Mozart has just listened to a new opera by Salieri and when asked for his opinion states something like 'when I hear such music all I can say is "Salieri' -- which, of course, is not really meant to be a compliment.

Well, after a week with Office, all I can say is "Microsoft".

For example, the default view is "Page layout". So, I build a one page document complete with graphics, text boxes, etc. When I switch to "Normal" view the entire document disappears. When I switch back everything is there. Lovely.

When you create a text box you can not rotate the text box. But you can rotate the text. Why? When you change the text box border to 0 points the line still prints -- you have to go into another dialogue box and change it to "no line" -- why?

How many years has Word been on the market? Why does the program still suck?

EDIT: By the way, I know all the work arounds. My point is that the program is completely counterintuitive. Teaching someone Word is like trying to teach your grandparents Japanese. Not easy.

[Doctor Q]

My primary interest was in PowerPoint to see how it compared to Keynote. ... PowerPoint looks great, has excellent transitions, and seems competitive with Keynote. It doesn't have everything that Keynote has, and isn't as intuitive to use (unless, of course, by "intuitive" you mean "similar to previous Office versions", in which case, yes, it is "intuitive"). However, some of the new features - animations, primarily - are better than Keynote's.Your review is interesting beause you are coming at it from the reverse direction compared to most people. Usually, people check out Keynote to see if, as the relatively new kid on the block, it stacks up to ancient market leader Powerpoint.

[jsw]

Your review is interesting beause you are coming at it from the reverse direction compared to most people. Usually, people check out Keynote to see if, as the relatively new kid on the block, it stacks up to ancient market leader Powerpoint.

Well, I did spend years using PowerPoint (well, not that many presentations, but a long period of time where there wasn't much else to use whwnever I happened to put together slides). I went over to Keynote last year and haven't looked back all that much, although there are still a few features I miss, and few things I'd like to see in Keynote 2.0.

Also, I love T i n a.

[uzombie]

Microsoft Office 2004 "inner Suit" voodoo doll banner.

Office 2004 ad is most obnoxious. Ranks up there with "You've Won" Epileptic Seizure Flashing.

Boooo MacRumors for allowing such an ad to be pasted at the header of every forum page.

Boooo.

(no, I am waiting for the professional version before I buy it)

Hey! Who typed that?

[itsa]

Just a heads up.... Wait to upgrade if you use PowerPoint!
The quicktime support sucks. Videos skip and lag and the same for flash.. Some say that it's crashing PP all together on them. I have not had that yet but I can not use my .mov files yet. :(

[itsa]

Your review is interesting beause you are coming at it from the reverse direction compared to most people. Usually, people check out Keynote to see if, as the relatively new kid on the block, it stacks up to ancient market leader Powerpoint.


KeyNote SUCKS!

[NNO-Stephen]

I'm going to get the Student and Teacher edition. I'm in college, and 140 bucks isn't a bad deal. I've got a preview of it now and I find that Notebook view is great, especially with the audio recording. that works fantastic on my Pismo. :)

Excel is also nice, much prettier than it's windows counterpart (well, as is the rest of the office suite)

won't use entourage though. iCal, Mail, and Address Book are all I need.

[Rezet]

What is this thing I keep hearing about 3 times install limit on new office? Is that true and how does it work. If they only allow the program to be installed 3 times, I WONT even consider paying 100 bucks for it.
Anyone with info on this, please reply....

[Rezet]

KeyNote SUCKS!

I second that. Anyone who really thinks keynote is more robust than PP needs to get his head checked. keynote doesnt even have decent timers.
Comparing Keynote vs PP is like comparing "Livetype" and "AfterEffects Pro". Powerpoint allows you to build things from scratch almost on a level of being able to complete small programs. Keynote... well keynote looks nicer and seems easier to use but has like 20% options of PP top. PP to me seems like the best presentaion software still. Version incompatibility is a bitch, but I wouldnt even compare it to Keynote.
I have both PP and keynote. keynote(pre-installed) is almost never used.

[arnette]

I like the new Office 2004. The notebook mode will be great for me since I am a student. It seems to be faster than the old Office used to be....but maybe that's just on my computer.

As for the Apple Store...they DO carry the Student and Teacher edition for $149. Typically, however, you can not receive your student discount on software there.

Boys rule and girls drool!

What are YOU doing on here!? did you auction off your software? i want you do to it first so if there are any 'complications' you'll clear the way for me.

He he he he he!! Get yourself a game boy SP so we can go head-to-head! And perhaps one day we'll have the same day off together. Of course, the stars will align and God will smile upon the Earth... but stranger things have happened.

B

[windowsblowsass]

Try never. Why do you think they left Access out? For the exact reason you commented on. To neuter Apple in the corp arena.

Rule #1 about Microsoft. They don't do ANYTHING out of the goodness of their hearts. Mac Office is around for one and only one reason. To keep the antitrust vultures off of MS's back. The amount of cash Mac Office brings in is pathetically small compared to Windows/Office for Windows. In fact I'd be interested in seeing if it even covers development costs.
you missed a reason microsoft must supply mac office due to a contract they signed with apple (it also allowed them to copy the mac os)

[windowsblowsass]

KeyNote SUCKS!

thats a troll

[macsrus]

you missed a reason microsoft must supply mac office due to a contract they signed with apple (it also allowed them to copy the mac os)

The real reason Microsoft Supplies Office for the Mac is........

Most Macs sold wind up with MS Office on it.

$400 a copy times 2 million Macs sold a year is 800 million a year for MS
of which about 700 million is profit

as Bill Gates said," We make more money off every Mac sold than Apple does"

Thats why.....

[Chip NoVaMac]

The real reason Microsoft Supplies Office for the Mac is........

Most Macs sold wind up with MS Office on it.

$400 a copy times 2 million Macs sold a year is 800 million a year for MS
of which about 700 million is profit

as Bill Gates said," We make more money off every Mac sold than Apple does"

Thats why.....

Too bad they don't pay back some of that profit in continued support for Internet Explorer.

Don't get me wrong, I love Safari and Firefox. Despite all the recommendations on settings I can not get either to recognize the Washington Post E-Tearsheets website. I dread when the company they went with transitions the site to a higher version of IE.

[DakotaGuy]

I just installed Office 2004 for Mac and I must say I am impressed with the software. I find it much improved over Office v.X. I know it is made by Microsoft, but I have to give them a lot of credit. I have never used Entourage, actually never even opened it before and I can tell you I already took Mail, Address Book, and iCal off my Dock. I find it a much better solution being totally integrated. Word is about the same with a few new perks, Excel looks good and I notice several improvements in PowerPoint. I find PowerPoint hard to beat and when you are working in a Windows world (military) I find compatibility excellent. I have never been a Microsoft fan at all, but this is a great piece of software that seems to really work with OSX. It it totally worth the money if you need a good office suite.

[sososowhat]

I've also just installed OS Office 2004. Is there a way to keep its address book & my OS X address book in sync so I can use both?

Other First impressions:
* I love "notebook view" in word. Big improvement over outline view. However, can one actually print pages with the lines on them? I don't see how.
* mail folder management & views & etc seems better than OS X mail. I like the way you can see mail by date nicely delineated, and also using mail views to pick specific groups of mail.
* Project Center is awesome. However, is there a way to load a mail attachment as a project document without first saving the attachment outside of mail?

[andiwm2003]

I just installed Office 2004 for Mac and I must say I am impressed with the software. I find it much improved over Office v.X. I know it is made by Microsoft, but I have to give them a lot of credit. I have never used Entourage, actually never even opened it before and I can tell you I already took Mail, Address Book, and iCal off my Dock. I find it a much better solution being totally integrated. Word is about the same with a few new perks, Excel looks good and I notice several improvements in PowerPoint. I find PowerPoint hard to beat and when you are working in a Windows world (military) I find compatibility excellent. I have never been a Microsoft fan at all, but this is a great piece of software that seems to really work with OSX. It it totally worth the money if you need a good office suite.

i also like office 2004 a lot although its made by the evil empire. i don't use entourage, i prefer to use the programs as individual applications (i know i'm old fashioned).

two negative points:

there is still no way to transfer archived mails from outlook/exchange server to the ms mail program (i'm sitting on 3 GB archived mails).

of course when you change a 2004 powerpoint presentation it is not compatible with older powerpoint version anymore. you always loose some images or so. but that is marketing, i guess.

but in general it is stable, fast enough on my 15" PB, user friendly (in MS terms) and i love the presenter tools in powerpoint. using my pda with the salling clicker bluetooth software also works great.

i never thought i write a good review for MS. i right now go to my apple store and buy keynote............

[DakotaGuy]

i never thought i write a good review for MS. i right now go to my apple store and buy keynote............

IMO Keynote still has a ways to go before it becomes a better program then PowerPoint. With that said, I also do not care for MS, but I have to give credit where credit is due and this is an awesome program. It seems the people at the MacBU of Microsoft really have a feel for OSX and how to make software for it. It is very well thought out and performs well. I have just had it for a day, so I will give more reports as I use it. If you have a .mac account, Entourage will automatically set it up to receive and send mail when you first open it. You can also set up other email accounts. The notebook view in Word is awesome. I have not tried recording the voice notes yet. I am going to start working on an Excel project today as well. For all the people that say Apple must come out with an Office type suite, I don't see why...these programs are about as good as you can get. (I can't believe I just said so many nice things about MS...)

[itsa]

I don't see why...these programs are about as good as you can get.

try droping a .mov or a flash file in powerpoint and play the show.. You wont like that so much.
I'm told they are working on a bunch of fixes. I can not use PP right now. I wish I never upgraded.
I have to say... keynotes is becoming easier to work with the more I do with it. It's just lacking so many options I used in pp.