Question for Mac users about Microsoft Office or iWork?

[traces7]

Which do you prefer? Or which would you get? Right now I don't have either on my Mac, but I'd like to get something. I've only ever used a Mac and I've never really used the Microsoft products. I was leaning toward getting the iWork package from Apple. I do have a desktop and laptop, so I'd want to put it on both.

I just got an email that if I bought Microsoft Office for the Mac between Aug 1 and Nov ? I could get the upgrade in 2011 for free. Also DD uses a lot of Microsoft products at school, so than it would be more compatible if she did something here and needed to take it to school. Would Microsoft Word be hard to learn for me? Is the iWork Pages a better program than Word?
Any thoughts anyone? Thanks!

 

[EdiePA]

I like Word. And if you send documents to people, Word seems to be more universally accepted.

That being said, you can format Pages into Word documents, but I just think that Word is easier to work with. But it may just be the problem of trying to teach an old dog a new trick.

Edie

 

[browneyes106]

I currently have iWork on my Macbook but I don't like it and there are some features from Microsoft Office that I miss. I'm also thinking about getting Microsoft Office for Mac but I'm unsure because I have heard different things from people. Two of my grad school classmates told me to get Microsoft Office for Mac and my cousin who lives out of state and who I talk to often and has been a Mac owner for years has told me to stuck with iWork.

 

[browneyes106]

I like Word. And if you send documents to people, Word seems to be more universally accepted.

That being said, you can format Pages into Word documents, but I just think that Word is easier to work with. But it may just be the problem of trying to teach an old dog a new trick.

Edie

I also think Word is easier to work with. I still have a PC laptop that I have been using lately when I need to do things with Office. I do think that I will never get used to iWork.

 

[RadioNate]

I'm a tried and true Mac user....But get Microsoft Office. Word is the 'default' word processing program. All businesses, schools, etc etc, ALL use MS Word. Same with the other programs in the suite.

Word is easy to use.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Try openoffice.org. Works just like Word and have never had an issue with compatibility. It's a free download. Awesome.

 

[mnrose]

Try openoffice.org. Works just like Word and have never had an issue with compatibility. It's a free download. Awesome.

I was going to say the same thing! I use open office on both a MAC and PC, and have never had an issue. Love open office. Works great, and you cannot beat the price. Let's spread the word, and beat all others at their own game.

 

[traces7]

I also think Word is easier to work with. I still have a PC laptop that I have been using lately when I need to do things with Office. I do think that I will never get used to iWork.

Have you always used Word though? I've never used either one, which would be easier to learn?

 

[traces7]

Try openoffice.org. Works just like Word and have never had an issue with compatibility. It's a free download. Awesome.

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

[browneyes106]

Have you always used Word though? I've never used either one, which would be easier to learn?

I have owned PC's for several years now and so I'm pretty much used to Word. I bought a Macbook recently which I'm still getting used to and I have tried the iWork/Pages word processor and I can't get used to it. As other posters have mentioned Word is universally accepted and used in most businesses, schools etc. The Microsoft programs like Word, PowerPoint, etc are easy to learn and have great features. So far with iWork I don't find the programs easy to use and they lack certain features that Office has.