I know this is not the typical question here but I'd love input from my most trusted source: other moms! Just bought a new Mac laptop and need to add the suite of Microsoft products. I do use my computer for work so feel like I need to add Outlook but it's more $$ and not sure I really use it. But hate to not have it... Then there are straight up Microsoft software purchases vs. monthly memberships that are more $$ but include updates. What did you get and what do yo think the best deal is? Thank you!
Thanks for all the constructive input. I'm self-employed thus I can't just ask at work what to do/what is offered through the company. Re: whether or not I need Outlook, it's just a program that many professionals use so I hate to not have it in case it factors in to how a client wants to communicate. Leaning towards skipping it and going with an outright buy vs. subscription. Thanks again.
What do you do for work, and how many people are involved in sharing calendars and so forth? We have Macs and just use the basic stuff like Word, Excel, Power Point, etc., and Contacts and iCal (which has multiple options and color coding for various people who need to share different ones). You could try that before spending any more money.
I don't know what you do in your line of work, so I have no idea what you need in general.
However, my work environment is a mixed Mac/PC environment. With respect to Outlook, I know that the Mac equivalent is very compatible with Outlook - appointment requests, etc, can be seamlessly shared between them.
i got the office package for mac. i didn't realize there were more options than just buying either the individual microsoft programs or the office package. i just bought it outright. word, excel, and the other one i never used.
khairete
S.
I don't mean any offense, but I don't really understand what you mean by: you use your computer for work so you 'feel' you need to add Outlook but 'not sure I really use it'.
How do you not know if you use it? That's where I am not following.
I would ask your work what you need and go from there.
I do not personally like mostly memberships - I personally find them annoying. I purchase the software when I purchase products.
I think it depends on what your needs really are. Personally, I do the software purchase (outright). My oldest does the membership on nearly all of her software. Her needs are more intensive and she does need to have access to the latest updates. If you find yourself wanting to purchase outright every time a new update is issued, then the membership would be the better choice.
I am not an Outlook fan, but it is our office's platform for emails/email management so it is a must have for me. However, your work may already have a subscription for that so I would check with IT. Most folks who do any work at home or check emails, usually get this perk from their employer. You could also check to see if your job already has a multi-user agreement with Microsoft that would allow you to use the programs you need. Another money saver is if you know a college student, they can get software on campus at the bookstore at a discount.
Not being a tech site, and peoples computer needs being completely different from one another, I'm not sure you are going to get a good answer here.
If your job requires certain software compatibilities - they should be telling you what you need or providing you with it.
If there's no company driving your requirements, then there are other alternatives to Microsoft Office.
You should be able to find something that meets your needs without costing you an arm and a leg.
