Microsoft don't just do Windows. Oh no!
For as long as I can remember, the corporation has been pumping out and adapting its products for Macintosh computers and mostly with great success. Much of this comes from cornering the "convert" market; or those who've moved to the OSX platform from ... Read review
Eligibility for student licence: Students: Full or part-time student aged five or over ... more
enrolled on a course that will deliver an academic qualification publicly recognised by the Department for Education & Skills (DfES) or the Irish Department of Edu...
Postage & Packaging: £3.25 Availability: Next Day Delivery
Advantages: Office compatibility on OSX Disadvantages: "Adapted" feel rather than "Written-for"
Microsoft don't just do Windows. Oh no!
For as long as I can remember, the corporation has been pumping out and adapting its products for Macintosh computers and mostly with great success. Much of this comes from cornering the "convert" market; or those who've moved to the OSX platform from a mainly Windows environment. This is particularly relevant to PowerPC Mac users and now less so for Intel Mac users.
... ...port Outlook to Mac OS, Microsoft decided to write an e-mail client specifically, and thus Entourage was born. For the most part it's very similar to the latest versions of Outlook, but with a more Mac-centric ideology. The top left of the screen features a large 6 button navigation menu - one click of the big icons to switch to all the different functions on offer - e-mail, address book, calendar, notes, tasks and project centre.
For as long as I can remember, the corporation has been pumping out and adapting its products for Macintosh computers and mostly with great success. Much of this comes from cornering the "convert" market; or those who've moved to the OSX platform from a mainly Windows environment. This is particularly relevant to PowerPC Mac users and now less so for Intel Mac users.
Because Intel Mac users can now run Windows natively in a dual-boot setup with OSX, you can simply use the windows designed applications without needing them to run on OSX. However, the vast majority of OSX users run PowerPC based machines and it's a massive market. For instance, PowerPC users have long enjoyed Virtual PC - a Mircosoft-developed emulator that allows you to run Windows within your OSX environment. (Irrelevant to Intel Mac users because of the native ability to run Windows)
Anyway, "Office:Mac" as it is rather pretentiously named is a port of some familiar applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with a completely OSX developed e-mail client called Entourage. Much of the basic functionality of these applications is identical to the Windows versions, as one would expect, but with subtle differences. Let's take a look at each application:
******************************************************* Word:Mac (see screenshot 1 in the photos section) *******************************************************
I personally grew up on Windows-based PCs and used Word ever since I was little. I recently (last few years) had to buy a Mac for my work and bought this edition of Office. Because I was so used to using Word on a PC, the first things I noticed about Word:Mac were the differences. As you can see from the screenshot, rather than filling the entire screen when maximised, the document fills only half the screen (this has always been the default way in OSX for apps like this). The toolbars at the top in Windows, would be part of the app itself at the header of the window, however in OSX, it's part of the OSs toolbar, and separate from the actual document window. This is actually quite handy, as you can minimise the window, without losing the application's functionality.
Ultimately, the advantage here, is that you can completely customise your workspace. From the screenshot, you can see the two toolbars at the top of the screen. These can be moved or arranged anywhere. Also you'll see the formatting pallette, which contains all the functions normally located at the top of the window in the Windows version. This can be opened at closed and moved around at will, and is animated by the Genie effect prevalent in OSX - very nifty! Aside from this "complete customisation" concept, the application is generally the same and there are no surprising or alien features to confuse you!
******************************************************* Excel:Mac (see screenshot 2 in the photos section) ******************************************************* The toolbar and window separation is more apparent in Excel. Whereas in the windows version the horizontal cells (rows) continue uninterrupted, the Mac version utilises this 'pages' idea. As you can see from the screenshot the default column width allows 6 columns per 'page'. As you may also see, the calculations toolbar can be placed anywhere (here at the bottom of the screen).
Once again, everything is the same or similar as the windows version - a complete port of the app!
************************************************************** PowerPoint:Mac (see screenshot 3 in the photos section) **************************************************************
As with Word, the formatting pallete is seen again. In general PowerPoint:Mac is the most similar to its windows counterpart. Everything is contained within the window and the toolbar is long enough to almost fill the screen giving the illusion of being more part of the program.
For me, it's the most aesthetically pleasing application of the bunch - well laid out, useful good-looking icons and as powerful on OSX as on Windows
************************************************************* Entourage:Mac (see screenshot 4 in the photos section) *************************************************************
Rather than continuing to port Outlook to Mac OS, Microsoft decided to write an e-mail client specifically, and thus Entourage was born. For the most part it's very similar to the latest versions of Outlook, but with a more Mac-centric ideology. The top left of the screen features a large 6 button navigation menu - one click of the big icons to switch to all the different functions on offer - e-mail, address book, calendar, notes, tasks and project centre.
I personally only use the e-mail functions of Entourage, and as a 3-year Outlook user - it's identical. Nothing surprising here, as everything is all within the window - lovely!
My flatmate, is a stickler for organisation and I can report he can confidently say the calendar and task sections are completely similar to Outlook.
*************** Concluding... ***************
Any Windows user thinking of switching or already switched to OSX, who wants to retain the familiarity of Microsoft-developed applications, will be pleased to know, this edition has everything you need to keep you satisfied. While of course you could learn Pages and Keynote (Apple's own 'Word' and 'PowerPoint), who wants to when Microsoft offers this bundle for £99 including a £40 rebate via post.
Radical-Machine 15.10.2006
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Review of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Student and Teacher Edition Complete package
Product Information for "Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Student and Teacher Edition Complete package" »
System requirements
OS Required
Apple MacOS X 10.2.8 or later
Peripheral / Interface Devices
Mouse or compatible device, CD-ROM
System Requirements Details
Apple MacOS X 10.2.8 or later - PowerPC G3 - RAM 256 MB - HD 450 MB
Manufacturer's product description
Office 2004 for Mac Student and Teacher Edition gives you all the leading presentation, spreadsheet, word processing, and e-mail software found in Office 2004 for Mac Standard Edition in one convenient, specially priced package. Make class time more productive by easily taking notes, searching and flagging relevant information, and recording audio directly into your documents. Conveniently access e-mail messages, documents, contacts, and even audio and video from one central location. Enjoy more freedom from unwanted e-mail messages than ever before. The junk e-mail filter removes messages before they get to your Inbox. You, and only you, will see which slide is up and which ones are on deck, while an on-screen clock maintains the perfect tempo.
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