Best Word Processor & "Office Suite"

[jh215]

Hey everyone,
I'm obviously a new member here at MacRumors as I finally own an iMac! My question is what is the best word processor on Mac OS X? I need good compatibility with Microsoft Office as I often have to send files for work & school. So, would Office for Mac be my best bet? I have heard mixed things about it. Also, what are your opinions on Pages & Keynote? What are your opinions on Open Office? What do you guys use?

Thanks!

 

[donuttakedonuts]

Honestly, for straight up compatibility, I have to recommend microsoft office, simply because it is the word processing software the rest of the world uses.

 

[iDuel]

I use Pages & Keynote and I think they are wonderful! I had to write a paper, but I had to present it on a windows computer and Pages actually translated it well.

If you want to avoid all of the bloat, then I would suggest Pages & Keynote, but if you are going to be relying heavily on MS Office, then you may want to opt for that.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Honestly, for straight up compatibility, I have to recommend microsoft office, simply because it is the word processing software the rest of the world uses.

I have to agree and for the reason that you have stated; the Mac world will argue that iWork is better (and it probably is, but most of the world uses Office and Word). For me, Office for Mac was a deal breaker - as my entire work world uses Word, I had to have a programme that had Word, so I bought a copy of Office for Mac.

There is a version of Office for Mac available for teachers and students and the discount is considerable on the price for the standard version.

 

[sleinad]

I have to agree and for the reason that you have stated; the Mac world will argue that iWork is better (and it probably is, but most of the world uses Office and Word). For me, Office for Mac was a deal breaker - as my entire work world uses Word, I had to have a programme that had Word, so I bought a copy of Office for Mac.

There is a version of Office for Mac available for teachers and students and the discount is considerable on the price for the standard version.

I will join the group, and say that Office for Mac is the best option. I like Pages, but Office has just more features. (I think, or at least I'm more familiar with more features on Office than on Pages.)

 

[jh215]

Hey, thanks a lot guys! I have to work a great deal in Word, PowerPoint and Excel so I guess Office for Mac is the best option after all. I had heard of some compatibility issues, etc. but I need the formatting of my work to look as similar as possible on both platforms and everyone hear says it is a great choice. I appreciate the help everyone and I plan on sticking around the forums for time to come.

 

[-tWv-]

Office 2011 is great, much better than any of the previous office releases. This is because it looks most like the windows version, which I think is well designed and makes sense. I learned how to use office on windows, and it works similarly on a mac in 2011. They have taken the "ribbon" toolbar at the top and used the same idea in office 2011, which makes it very simple to make the switch.

I began to use it mostly because of its compatibility but it also has a simple to use UI and looks great. I especially like the "notebook" layout in word, this makes taking notes in class super easy and also makes them easy to organize. I have heard of people having compatibility issues with pages and keynote, and I would just try to avoid all that and use microsoft office.

 

[blevins321]

Office 2011 is great, much better than any of the previous office releases. This is because it looks most like the windows version, which I think is well designed and makes sense. I learned how to use office on windows, and it works similarly on a mac in 2011. They have taken the "ribbon" toolbar at the top and used the same idea in office 2011, which makes it very simple to make the switch.

I began to use it mostly because of its compatibility but it also has a simple to use UI and looks great. I especially like the "notebook" layout in word, this makes taking notes in class super easy and also makes them easy to organize. I have heard of people having compatibility issues with pages and keynote, and I would just try to avoid all that and use microsoft office.

+1. Microsoft redeemed a lot string of slow and clunky Mac Office releases with 2011. It's pretty speedy and is a easier transition with the Windows-like ribbon interface.

 

[jh215]

Office 2011 is great, much better than any of the previous office releases. This is because it looks most like the windows version, which I think is well designed and makes sense. I learned how to use office on windows, and it works similarly on a mac in 2011. They have taken the "ribbon" toolbar at the top and used the same idea in office 2011, which makes it very simple to make the switch.

I began to use it mostly because of its compatibility but it also has a simple to use UI and looks great. I especially like the "notebook" layout in word, this makes taking notes in class super easy and also makes them easy to organize. I have heard of people having compatibility issues with pages and keynote, and I would just try to avoid all that and use microsoft office.

+1. Microsoft redeemed a lot string of slow and clunky Mac Office releases with 2011. It's pretty speedy and is a easier transition with the Windows-like ribbon interface.

Thanks. I'm definitely going with Office now!