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Office 2011 or office 2016

Rowdi

Rowdi

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 19, 2017
5
0
London
i need to buy a copy of office
I only need it for word and excel

Do I need to buy 2016 ?
If I buy 2011 will it be out of date or can I use it for a while ?

If I have to buy 2016 is the subscription thing the one to get it the other one ?

I will only need word and excel maybe PowerPoint
I have no ties to a school or education
It will be for work
 
Last edited:
I'm still using 2011. But I also have a free subscription to 2016 (through the local university).

If you're paying money, get 2016. If you can get it for free, get whichever one is free.

If I were buying, I'd pay for the full version, not the subscription.

If you always need the latest version, and are prepared to pay forever, then the subscription is fine.

If you stop paying the subscription, you lose the program.

So, for me, I pay once and use it for years. That way, even if it is out of date, I still have it.
 
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If you are a student, university staff, or have a similar connection, with an appropriate academic email address, there are super offers for Office, as a 4-year subscription... and that 4-year sub price is half the cost of buying 2016 outright.

If you don't have a university affiliation, then a one-off full price (~£100) of Word 2016 would probably be better than a subscription to the full Office, given the limited info from your post.
 
BMcCoy said:
If you are a student, university staff, or have a similar connection, with an appropriate academic email address, there are super offers for Office, as a 4-year subscription... and that 4-year sub price is half the cost of buying 2016 outright.

If you don't have a university affiliation, then a one-off full price (~£100) of Word 2016 would probably be better than a subscription to the full Office, given the limited info from your post.
Click to expand...
No sadly not a student or university, yes really only need word and excel. It'll be used for work
[doublepost=1489927116][/doublepost]
flyinmac said:
I'm still using 2011. But I also have a free subscription to 2016 (through the local university).

If you're paying money, get 2016. If you can get it for free, get whichever one is free.

If I were buying, I'd pay for the full version, not the subscription.

If you always need the latest version, and are prepared to pay forever, then the subscription is fine.

If you stop paying the subscription, you lose the program.

So, for me, I pay once and use it for years. That way, even if it is out of date, I still have it.
Click to expand...
Thanks
 
BMcCoy said:
If you are a student, university staff, or have a similar connection, with an appropriate academic email address, there are super offers for Office, as a 4-year subscription... and that 4-year sub price is half the cost of buying 2016 outright.

If you don't have a university affiliation, then a one-off full price (~£100) of Word 2016 would probably be better than a subscription to the full Office, given the limited info from your post.
Click to expand...
________________________________
same decision as Coke or Pepsi.
 
flyinmac said:
I'm still using 2011. But I also have a free subscription to 2016 (through the local university).

If you're paying money, get 2016. If you can get it for free, get whichever one is free.

If I were buying, I'd pay for the full version, not the subscription.

If you always need the latest version, and are prepared to pay forever, then the subscription is fine.

If you stop paying the subscription, you lose the program.

So, for me, I pay once and use it for years. That way, even if it is out of date, I still have it.
Click to expand...
+1.
Using the 2011 Office as well. I would also prefer the standalone version to subscription for practical reasons flyinmac mentioned.
 
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According to Microsoft, software updates for Office 2011 will be released until October 2017.

I'd go with 2016...
 
Rowdi said:
If I buy 2011 will it not be obsolete next year/s ?
Click to expand...

Older versions of software are a tricky thing. You miss out on newer features and with each iteration of the macOS operating system you run the risk of it not working.

I can't speak for everyone but I don't do too terribly much with Word beyond drafting SOW and documentation for my modules I create. For my needs right now Office 2011 would be fine. I use Office 2016 because I have access to it at no expense to me through work.

What I'm trying to say is if it is a budget issue 2011 will be fine for now until you are ready to upgrade. So if you can get 2011 at a significant savings go ahead and do so.

I couldn't tell you at what point Office 2011 would not be viable for use. My guess is it would still be at least a year or two easily that it would more then enough.
 
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I have an Office 365 subscription but I've reverted back from 2016 to 2011. 2016 is quite large 10GB install (vs. 1.2GB for 2011) Performance on 2011 is better. That's one of the benefits of having a subscription. You get to choose. :D

Oh, if you're going to go with an O365 sub, don't pay by the month. Get a 1 yr subscription and if possible get the subscription from reputable sellers on Amazon. I got my sub there, $68 for the year.
 
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I vastly prefer the workflow and aesthetics of 2016.

Some have expressed disdain for the ribbon bar, but I've found it intuitive and convenient.
 
Rowdi said:
I think you're right
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I guess as everyone has their opinion. I personally pay $10 a month for office 365 and always have the newest version. I also get 1TB of onedrive storage for me and up to 4 others in my family. Also includes full downloads of office on each members mac/laptop or PC and phone and tablets. Good deal for me.
 
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I have Office 2011 and the stand alone version of Office 2016. As already mentioned, Office 2016 is bloated, slower, and in my opinion, not as easy to use as 2011. I wouldn't worry about Office 2011 becoming obsolete any time soon. Office 2008 which is even older is still functional and works fine with Sierra.
 
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