Iwork or Microsoft office?

Dukefan · 08-23-2009, 07:18 PM

Ok so I bought a new macbook pro the other day ago and didn't buy Iwork (didn't have money at the time believe it or not). So now I have Macbook without a word processor.

So now my questions is, what is better for school Iwork or Microsoft office. Now before you got out saying Iwork right away, I am going into business and I believe use Microsoft excel in a few classes. So I am sure Iwork is probably a bit easier to use and maybe even built a bit better, but is it compatible in classes such as business statistics that uses excel a lot?

Iwork was about $50 on amazon.com and I can buy Microsoft office for the mac at my school for about $65.

Which should I go with, or should I go with both?

SingDanceRunLife · 08-23-2009, 08:23 PM

Office. Everyone uses it, so when you have to email something or give someone a file, you'll be sure that they can actually deal with it.

Dukefan · 08-23-2009, 10:25 PM

Thanks.

I have never used Iwork before, is it any better in terms of actual use than Microsoft office, like does it any easier to use or have any features that office does not have?

Lergnom · 08-23-2009, 11:01 PM

I prefer using Pages and Keynote to Word - which I have some disgust for - or PowerPoint. But Word is the de facto standard for papers. Pages can export to Word but unless you have issues with using Word it's fine. Kind of a mess as a program but it's fine. If you're used to Excel, then stick with it over Numbers. Apple's iWork is cheap so you can always pick it up if you want.

BTW, there are dozens of word processors for a Mac, many of them next to free (or free).

Dukefan · 08-24-2009, 01:37 AM

Alright I am leaning towards Microsoft office then. Probably pick it up tomorrow. May pick up Iwork later when I get a little more breathing room in terms of money.

Any more info and opinions are appreciated.

srunni · 08-24-2009, 03:58 PM

You can get OpenOffice for free, and it does everything that most people ever need from word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. It's compatible with both the older binary Microsoft Office format (*.doc, *.xls, *.ppt) as well as the newer Office OpenXML format (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx).

spookyjeff · 08-24-2009, 05:00 PM

I use open office.

thelilodance · 08-25-2009, 01:21 PM

I use both open office and iWork.

Dukefan · 08-25-2009, 01:48 PM

I downloaded openoffice, it looks good, but is it really sufficient for school, I just checked at my school I can pick up Iwork for $40. I think i might get that along with keep openoffice.

zapakovex · 08-25-2009, 02:05 PM

If you need excel then definitely get office, period.

I have both but I rarely use iWork, mainly because I just instinctively open Word whenever I need to 'word process'. IMHO, Pages is much more smooth, same goes for Keynote.

srunni · 08-25-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukefan

I downloaded openoffice, it looks good, but is it really sufficient for school

I don't see why not…

Lergnom · 08-25-2009, 06:46 PM

It is sufficient, depending on how much you need to put into working with it. Word processing is simple stuff. Working with numbers is different. There are even online word processors that work well. (See google docs, which also has a spreadsheet.)

ilovebagels · 08-26-2009, 01:38 AM

Unless you're taking business courses that need Excel, just use OpenOffice ($0) for basic MS Office-level stuff. Then buy iWork. The razzle-dazzle of Keynote alone is worth it (and has definitely wowed my audiences and boosted my grade on more than one occasion

)

Dukefan · 08-26-2009, 02:15 AM

So basically the power point is better for Iwork, but I am taking business statistics next semester which uses excel. Looks like I may want to get both down the road. Right now I don't need either so I think I will stick with openoffice till I got something other than papers/notes that need to be done.

BP-TheGuy88 · 09-05-2009, 02:03 PM

i haven't used excel for macs (i avoid office for mac for the most part, it looks horrible and counter intuitive to the windows equivalent). however if you do decide to get a spreadsheet application for macs, make sure that some of the statistical analysis tools and extra functionality like use of VBA scripting are available. i used them in both my statistics classes and in an excel class i took last yr. ask the professor what you'll need for your class as far as excel goes. tell them you're running it on a mac because they might be able to tell you if that'll work for what you are assigned. some features just aren't included in the office version for macs. no point in wasting money on office for macs if you're going to have to probably go to a lab to do those assignments anyways.