Microsoft Office Professional questions

[JDBush61]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2010 Sony Vaio laptop running Windows 7 (64 bit) and Office Professional 2007. My memory is a bit faulty, yet when I first got this computer and installed Office Pro '07 I kind of remember that MS was about to release Office Pro 2010 and would honor a free upgrade when available as long as I had the product key for '07.

Does anyone know if that offer from MS is still valid? Was there a time limit? I have the Office Pro '07 disc(s?) at home somewhere. Haven't seen them in years, but they're there. Has that ship sailed?

All help / advice greatly appreciated.

John

[Digerati]

Sorry John. I remember (surprise!) that offer too. But it was only available for a couple months while Office 2007 was phasing out and Office 2010 was rolling in. But that offer expired quite some time ago. Note that Office 2010 has come and gone too, having been superseded by Office 2013 and Office 365. 

[JDBush61]

Thank you, Digerati. That's what I feared. I did some searching around the Net before posting my question, and was basically hoping that someone here might have some magic information for a professional procrastinator like me. I somehow never thought about a deadline for the upgrade. Live and learn.

So between Office 2013 and 365, do you have a personal preference? What's the major differences between the two (I can have my office order either one).

[Digerati]

I don't like Office 365 because it has a $100 per year (or $10/month) recurring renewal fee. It does, however, allow you to install it on 5 systems and works well with "the cloud" for sharing docs.

Office 2013 costs more up front, but no recurring fees. But it can only be installed on 1 computer.

See Compare Office Versions.

[JDBush61]

I'll probably just go the Office Pro 2013 route, as I only need it for one machine and, except for the Norton 360 that I use, I avoid "subscription" computer software. The Office 2007 that I use works fine, but sometimes I just want the latest software, which I suppose is not always the wisest route.

Thanks for your prompt reply!

[Digerati]

except for the Norton 360 that I use, I avoid "subscription" computer software.

I have the exact same sentiment - which you probably gleaned from my previous post. In fact, recurring fees is a, if not the primary reason I don't recommend Norton or other subscription based security programs.

The Office 2007 that I use works fine, but sometimes I just want the latest software, which I suppose is not always the wisest route.

"Not always" is correct. Upgrading to the latest version is generally accepted as the wisest course of action when it comes to security. This is why always using the latest version of your browser, security programs, and even Windows itself to keep our computers current is typically considered "practicing safe computing".

Office 2013 is great! However, with Office products, and in particular with Office 2007 products, (1) Microsoft is still providing security updates and (2) the newer versions typically add more features (as opposed to making the current product run better, safer and faster) that most users don't need. For example, Weather Bar in the new Outlook - to check your local weather before scheduling appointments. Neat, maybe, but who really needs that? And how effective is that when scheduling appointments weeks out?

I too use Office 2007 and thought seriously about upgrading to Office 2010 when it came out. But I don't "create" fancy new PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets or Word docs anymore that need those extra features. And I don't travel where I need 24/7/365 access to my Office files from anywhere in the world anymore either.

Plus, my life is, and has been inextricably melded to Outlook since Outlook 97. I don't breath unless it is scheduled in Outlook. And of course, the "affordable" Office products don't come with Outlook. I either have to buy the more expensive Pro Office versions, or the more expensive stand alone Outlook version. But my current 2007 versions still do everything I need them to do, fast and securely.

Of course, at 62 and fully capable of learning new ways of doing things, I am also old enough (stubborn?) to NOT do something if I don't want to - and get away with it.

The good news is Office 2007 products run great with Windows 8.1. I do expect I will upgrade to the next generation of Windows when it comes out. If and when it does not support 2007, then I will likely upgrade to a newer Office. Of course if one of the kids were to give the old man Office 2013 Pro for his birthday or Christmas, I would not hesitate to install it! ;)

[winchester73]

I too use Office 2007

I never upgraded for mostly the same reasons as you.

I've actually been looking at LibreOffice and OpenOffice instead of 2013 or 365.

Of course if one of the kids were to give the old man Office 2013 Pro for his birthday or Christmas, I would not hesitate to install it! ;)

Perhaps they will see this "trolling for gifts" post  :D

[Digerati]

I've actually been looking at LibreOffice and OpenOffice instead of 2013 or 365.

I have installed both on various new builds for folks wanting something now, but not willing or able to pay for a new Office license at the time. Both are fully capable Office alternatives but both present greater learning curves compared to upgrading from Office 2007.

I think LibreOffice is the better product but it still suffers from some compatibility issues that the older OpenOffice seems to handle better.

The problem I have with either is my dependence on Outlook - a dependence I don't really have a problem with at this time.