New laptop with Word

christy c

Hi,

Buying a new computer for someone and need Word on it. Is there any alternative to the ~€100 cost of office? Office starter on Windows 7 would be perfect but I see that it has been dropped from windows 8

Thanks in advance

5uspect

If you're a student you can get it cheap from MS. Alternatively there are many free options such as LibreOffice or even LaTeX.

solomafioso

https://office.com/start/default.aspx (You'll need an ms login username & password)

Free in-browser versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.

Will let you edit text, but lacks the 'full' features. This or Google Drive are the best online in-browser options.

Libre Office, Open Office or Kingsoft Office should do.

christy c

Thanks for all the quick replies.

Re open office, etc. did any of you have problems with formatting when sending files to someone? i.e. That the formatting is lost/changes? That's what I read on some sites.

So you think it's a non issue not having word? Will be sending and receiving files from word users

5uspect

MS Word now supports ODF format so it should be more compatible all round.

The_Conductor

In all honesty- Open Office is far more compatible with file formats- than Word is- it even caters for old Microsoft formats, that current versions of Word have ditched. You could do far worse than install Open Office.

If you have a die-hard 'Word' fan- your family member may qualify for an academic copy- a la www.software4students.ie or similar.

christy c

Thanks for all the replies, I'll give open office a go