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office for macbook pro
- Thread starter twcarroll
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You don't have to. You can always use Open Office (for free) or buy iWork but I would recommend MS Office for Mac 2011 if you need better compatibility with the Windows version of Office.
I would try OpenOffice and NeoOffice (since they are both free) and get the free 30 day trial of iWork. You can see if any of those 3 meet you needs without spending anything. There should be a trial of Office 2011 soon after Christmas.
I've tried OpenOffice on a Windows machine and had a lot of issue with formatting when sharing files with people using MS Office (for Windows) If I just used the program for my own files/needs it would have been perfect, things would get messy when I worked with someone else. The Mac version may be better.
I have Office 2011 for my Mac and it works perfectly with all the Office files (2007 and 2003) that I moved over from my old Dell.
I'm sticking with Office 2008. It works great, has no macro support (a benefit to security), and doesn't have that obnoxious ribbon toolbar! YMMV
Not a fan of MS Office for Mac (I've had them all) but I must admit, MS FINALLY got it right with Office 2011...excellent update...
(I use iWork as well but I find myself using MS 2011 more and more these days)...
(I use iWork as well but I find myself using MS 2011 more and more these days)...
It depends on how complex those documents are.
If she currently uses a Windows machine and uses the Windows version of Office then yes, she'll probably want it. Or, if she is going to exchange documents with other Office users (Mac and Windows alike), she probably needs it. (Office offers the best compatibility among all the alternatives mentioned here).
Unlike it's windows counterpart, That ribbon can be turned off entirely now in Office 2011 for the mac.
Microsoft Office if you are bringing business documents home from work, to work on them, save them, and take them back to work.
iWork or NeoOffice if you only need to view Microsoft Office documents from work, or if you are creating simple documents (invitations, school homework and reports, etc) that don't use Macros or other advanced features.
I was in the same boat and ended up getting my wife Office since it was what she's used to and, more importantly, my company offers a massive discount through the MS HUP. Check to see if your employer can hook you up -- I paid about $11.
If your wife is coming from, or still using, Windows PCs and Office, then I say yes, get it. Not only will it compliment the macbook pro, but it will give her a familiar place to work with, while she learns everything else that's new (Mac OS X). If she's already an apple user, then just find out what software she uses/prefers and get that for the new machine, whether it's Office or not.
It doesn't bother me a bit. At least no more than any other application on a 13" mac. 1280x800 yields the same "real estate" on any screen.
I assigned a keyboard shortcut to hide/show the ribbon - mainly because it's stupid. Of course I'm older now and don't like change so most things are stupid to me.
LOL! I know exactly how you feel!I assigned a keyboard shortcut to hide/show the ribbon - mainly because it's stupid. Of course I'm older now and don't like change so most things are stupid to me.
All of these work perfectly fine. It just depends if you want to pay for the software or not.. I use iWork 09 and its been perfect for me with my studies.
I thought the old Mac office was terrible, but the '11 edition works like a dream on my 13" pro.
It's been seriously streamlined, and I couldn't stand using pages because it couldn't work natively in .doc (it could save into that format, but it would give me annoying messages about saving progress if I didn't save a .pages, and it would have to convert a .doc when I open it.)
Also, screen real estate hasn't been a serious issue for me. But then I've never minded scrolling. Word documents aren't like photoshop, there's nothing wrong with seeing only part of the document at a time. And Word doesn't take up much horizontal space, so I can run it side-by-side with other applications without feeling awkward, unlike the last version.
It's been seriously streamlined, and I couldn't stand using pages because it couldn't work natively in .doc (it could save into that format, but it would give me annoying messages about saving progress if I didn't save a .pages, and it would have to convert a .doc when I open it.)
Also, screen real estate hasn't been a serious issue for me. But then I've never minded scrolling. Word documents aren't like photoshop, there's nothing wrong with seeing only part of the document at a time. And Word doesn't take up much horizontal space, so I can run it side-by-side with other applications without feeling awkward, unlike the last version.
I've been very happy with iWorks 09 since I moved to mac earlier this year. i suggest doing the 30 day free trial to see if it is for you.
It depends on what kind of user you or she might be. If you're doing basic documents, I'd look at one of the free options or iWork which is inexpensive. Of course you could go Office if you're comfortable using that suite (coming from Windows?). Despite all the hate for Office, this is the closest I've seen it to it's Windows counterpart and the ribbon is wonderful, allows you to find things much quicker vs. the toolbox in 2008 (hated that thing).
I would first check with the company you work for...(If you do I mean)..Thru my own company I was able to purchase Office 11 for 9.99..I bought a Windows version and a Mac Version...(Enterprise something or other)...
I work for a small company so that probably wouldn't work for me. How does this work? Do you have to be part of a volume purchase to get such a low price?
I have been using MS Office 2011 for Mac and it's MUCH MUCH better than the older versions. It's very similar to the PC version so good from a fimilarity point of view.
The screen "real estate" on the 13" isn't an issue. In fact i'm usually zooming into things instead. But that could also be cause of my aging eyes.
The screen "real estate" on the 13" isn't an issue. In fact i'm usually zooming into things instead. But that could also be cause of my aging eyes.
I ended up buying Office right away when I got my MBP. I figured I already had tons of word documents and powerpoint projects saved that it would be a good investment to get it since the majority of my tasks involve word or powerpoint. Office 11 is a pretty nice version. I'm not too familiar with office on mac in pervious versions, but I really like the 11 version.
I'm also happy with Mac Office 11. I use Office 2007 on my work PC and it's nice to have a pretty easy transition from one to the other. Never used previous versions of Office on Mac, so nothing to compare against. I bought the Academic version through my school (part time graduate program) as it includes Outlook and was $57. It is NOT the Student/Teacher edition but a third edition Microsoft doesn't advertise much.