bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Office 2004 Student and Teacher

• Mac OS X 10.2.6
• Mac OS X 10.3

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: No difference between this version and the full retail version.

Weaknesses: Rosetta emulation on Intel Macs.

Summary: This is the most robust office suite you can get for your Mac. The only application lacking is a database. The 2008 version from Microsoft was released this year and besides additional features and suites, it is a fully Universal app; meaning it will run natively on your Intel Mac. This version runs in emulation on your Intel Mac. Since this is an end of life product from Microsoft, you may want to consider the newer 2008 edition for future enhancements and support from Microsoft.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 60 Days

Strengths: Improved a lot from OFFICE X. Solved the issue of transitional compatiblity between PC/MAC. Provide a lot more great features.

Weaknesses: Occupy a lot more system resource than its previous version

Summary: If you buy your Mac computer within two years, you can take advantage of this new version. It gives you a lot more freedoms and convenience to finish your work/study. Don't bother if you are still using your old machine, you will spend most of your time on waiting. Great product with affortable price. I enjoy having it.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: Easy installation, friendly user interface, very functional.

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Bought this Mac word for my new Mac laptop. It is very easy to install it and till now I did not have any problem with it.It offers all the features of the Standard Edition with a deal price. It is very functional and the interface is easily to be understood. A nice product, 5 star.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Three licenses, reasonable cost, has the basics

Weaknesses: A few quirks when working cross-platform, a bit sluggish, some menus not very intuitive, not the full Office suite

Summary: This is still the best office package available for the Mac. It is a pretty good way to work on office documents and share with the PC world, but occasional cross-platform glitches can occur, though not detrimental. A few PC features are left out, but that\\\'s to be expected. Overall, a good package for a reasonable price. ***Note: I highly recommend buying this before Jan. 14, 2008 and redeeming the Super Suite Deal rebate which provides a free upgrade to the upcoming Office 2008 for Mac. See the Microsoft website for details.***

Rating: 6

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Allows you to easily open and exchange files with Windows users. More intuitive for a Mac user than Office 2003 for Windows.

Weaknesses: No Microsoft Access database application. Reportedly a little slow on Intel machines.

Summary: Whether I like to admit it or not, it's still a Windows world. Having Microsoft Office, or a suite that easily exchanges Office files, at hand is a necessity. Microsoft office is the obvious choice, even though other suites from Apple and others can work with many Microsoft file formats, although sometimes not as fluidly or with as many features. This is a reduced-price way to get Office on your Mac without paying through the nose for the standard version, if you are eligible: this version is legally licensable by teachers and students only; hence the name, and the price. It is identical to the Standard version in other aspects.