Another Mac question

[BStecke]

Hey all . . . I'm going to be buying my MacBook tomorrow, and I'm debating something. I have a copy of Office for Mac, but I'm wondering whether or not I should get iWork. It's like 79 bucks, so not that much money, but if it's not worth buying, I'd rather not piss it away.

What are the real differences between iWork and Office? Most Apple stuff I've used seems to work the way you think it should, and this certainly doesn't describe Office . . . does iWork follow this model? Are the two fairly compatible with each other, ie, if someone sends me an Excel or Word file, will it open with iWork?

Any opinions/info on this are greatly appreciated.

[Banjo]

Originally Posted by BStecke

Hey all . . . I'm going to be buying my MacBook tomorrow, and I'm debating something. I have a copy of Office for Mac, but I'm wondering whether or not I should get iWork. It's like 79 bucks, so not that much money, but if it's not worth buying, I'd rather not piss it away.

What are the real differences between iWork and Office? Most Apple stuff I've used seems to work the way you think it should, and this certainly doesn't describe Office . . . does iWork follow this model? Are the two fairly compatible with each other, ie, if someone sends me an Excel or Word file, will it open with iWork?

Any opinions/info on this are greatly appreciated.

Well, Keynote put PowerPoint to shame. No doubt on that part. Though I do use Office for the word processor software. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple do eventually come out with a new word processor software to be bundled with iWork for a much lower price than you will ever get with Office. I don't have the latest iWork release, I'm not sure but I think a new addition to it is an Excel-type software but I don't know if it can open an Excel file.

You can open any of these files on Google though. They have a service for it.

[Sylin]

IMHO, iWork 08 is worth it just for Pages. It's like having Word and Publisher all in one program. Plus, the templates, designs and functionality blow the socks off anything in office. I use it for all sorts of stuff.

Get the Student & Teacher edition of Office for Mac 2008 for like $130 (same as the $500 version, but without Exchange support), and then iWork for $79, and you're still paying less than most people.

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by ikcizokm

It's like having Word and Publisher all in one program.

I think that sold me . . . I never understood why they were separate anyway.

[Galley]

iWork '08 is much better than Office. I'll take me MacBook to work, because Office 2003 on my PC drives me crazy. Office 2008 for the Mac doesn't look very impressive.

[aristotles]

iWork is definitely the better choice for home users and small business. I'd even recommend it just for Keynote as a supplement for either Office for Mac or Open Office.

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Galley

Office 2008 for the Mac doesn't look very impressive.

It's not, if you're upgrading from 2004. But I think it's all the OP might be able to find now in the store. My local Apple Store has removed all 2004 copies from the shelves.