Software to select!?

jimmay

Hi peeps,

Noob here so hello hello . I've decided to take the plunge and am about to order a macbook pro. I've decided on the model and exactly where to purchase it but I'm just a bit undecided on the basic software. Should I get I-Works or Office 2008 for Mac - Home & Student? Theres only €50 in the price so not an issue. I would be using it for normal purposes ie. web, email and college (general business coursework). Is Iworks sufficient or should I get office?

-Chris-

I'd get Office, if only for compatibility & less of a learning curve.
I have iWork too - Keynote is better than Powerpoint.

OpenOffice.org will give you a free version, although (arguably) not as good.


Also, download all this stuff too: http://lifehacker.com/5291841/

conchubhar1

neo-office does the job perfectly and free

i have had no compatibility problems - as it saves into every used file format

jimmay

Thanks peeps I ordered iWork, figured hell I'm goin Mac might aswell swallow the whole pill! Sure I can check out that free software if needs be and can always order Office if I'm totally stuck!

One other Q...I saw in PCWorld a host of starter manuals for Mackbook (Mack for Dummies, etc.) and am just wondering anyone reccomend one? I'm completely foreign to Apple so would require all the basics. I know people will say everything's available online and I probably will check out some of them how to videos, etc. but I want to get a good accompanying book?

Sad Professor

jimmay wrote: »

One other Q...I saw in PCWorld a host of starter manuals for Mackbook (Mack for Dummies, etc.) and am just wondering anyone reccomend one? I'm completely foreign to Apple so would require all the basics. I know people will say everything's available online and I probably will check out some of them how to videos, etc. but I want to get a good accompanying book?

I really don't think any of those are necessary. Apple have video tutorials on their site here. Also there's plenty on youtube.

Oh and it's Mac btw, not "Mack".

Red Alert

I wouldn't bother with any of the books. Just start using it, and when you've a problem google it. Chances are someone'll have seen it before. I have both iWork and Microsoft Office, I use them both for different stuff.

eolair

for general purpose, Iwork is fine. Your college may have a scheme where you can get MS Office for a silly small amount of money - ask the IT dept.

nialler

http://www.openoffice.org/

You may need x11 installed but if you need compatibility with M$ which 90% of the world uses then go with this, office on the mac is to expensive so as a student I'd recommend this.

Remember one thing, not everyone is on office 2007/2008 so make sure you save as .doc not .xdoc, xppt, xxls or whatever extensions they're using.

Then again apple were first out of the gates with a xml converter for new office formats, before M$ brought out a converter for 2003.

N

Breezer

nialler wrote: »

You may need x11 installed

Not any more. The new version is actually quite decent although it's certainly not as fast as iWork 08 on my MacBook (1.83GHz CD). Not as polished either. But nice for Office compatibility.

Hobbes

Open office is free and compatible with MS formats and you can save in PDF. Symphony the same and supports Lotus formats as well.

http://www.openoffice.org/
http://symphony.lotus.com/

These days there really is no need to pay for an office suite.

Remember one thing, not everyone is on office 2007/2008 so make sure you save as .doc not .xdoc, xppt, xxls or whatever extensions they're using.

We do the reverse in work. Your told to tell them to download Open Office or Symphony and not convert to MSOffice. Easier.