We bought my daughter a new Lenovo 15" Laptop, ThinkPad, Windows 8.1. It was on sale for a student discount. The purchasing doesn't end there, there are many Microsoft software to choose from to have her computer going with Word. Which one do you think best suits her computer needs? Most of them are 1-year subscriptions, and very expensive. Would you recommend yearly subscriptions? Or the once-off buy and download, and regular software updates? I don't know what to ask. But I hope you understand what I'm trying to get at. Thanks.
I don't quite understand about the Microsoft applications you are saying because over here, the Operating System such as Windows (whatever version) comes complete with Microsoft Office which has the Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Everything is in the installer and all you have to do is check on the applications you desire upon installation of the Windows. I'm sorry if I cannot be of help because I'm really wondering about that 1-year subscription scheme that is very expensive.
It seems that Microsoft office {MO] has started a new idea. A lot of new computers come with a option of MO you can rent it or you can buy it out right. It is a pretty steep price to buy so that is why they are telling people to rent. The last computer I bough the price for MO was more than what I paid for the computer. There is a few free ware which can be used but they don't come with spell checker or other options. If you are a good speller this is not a problem. Good luck
I use Open Office, which has word processing and spreadsheet functionality similar to Word and Excel. It is completely free and you can save files in Microsoft format.
I would also suggest Open Office. It is completely free and one can save files in the formats (like .docx) that Microsoft uses. It does have a spreadsheet and whatever else Microsoft Office has. There is no need to buy this type of software when Open Office works just as well and is FREE!
I also vouch for Open Office. It's a great way to save money while doing work as you would do with Microsoft Office. The differences aren't that many, and even though Open Office does lack some small features, an average user shouldn't feel that it's inferior to Microsoft's software.
Yes, open office is completely free to use. It also can be used online. The great thing is that documents can also be shared online with other individuals as well. So, there is no need to buy the software or pay monthly prices for it.
Most computers used to come with Microsoft Office pre-installed but since Windows 8, what comes included is an executable to pay for the plan of your choice, or the option to buy the full version of the suite for an even ridiculously high price. However most computers with Windows 7 and backwards, still for sale in outlets, come with the full Microsoft Office. In my case, my computer came with the annoying software that tries to sell you the subscriptions plan, but I removed this software and installed Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007, which full version with no strings attached came with my previous computer.
@Carlota Clemens, pardon my ignorance because I was not aware of Windows 8 because our office did not upgrade to that, we are somewhat stuck with Windows 7 because of some issues surrounding that higher version. But, yes, I have heard of that suite and I guess it is pricey since the name implies it. In fairness to your choice, the Office Enterprise can more likely be capable of your daughter's requirements. And there's no subscription. I wonder what that subscription is for, it looks to me like a money-making venture of Microsoft.
For me Open Office was too buggy, so far for me on all earlier versions of Windows, including Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 the most stable, best free Office program have been WPS Office 2010, and WPS Office 2014, it is totally free, the WPS 2015 is not free. I downloaded the WPS 2010 from cnet at download.com, http://download.cnet.com/WPS-Office-10/3000-18483_4-75563178.html WPS 2014 from www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/kingsoft_office_suite_free_2012.html