MS Office - Which one?

Ticklemouse

Hi guys :wave:

I need to buy a MS Office pack for my laptop but I'm at a loss which one to get. I'm a complete numpty when it comes to using it - can just about type out a letter in word. However, I now run a small sole trader business and want to store my database etc on my lappy, so need it.

So, in a nutshell - do I go for 2003 (which I have been used to and my friends all use) or 2007. What are the differences.

My OH is a teacher so I could get a student/teacher edition (will they check I use it for business, albeit a very small amount) However, if I get a student/teacher edition, am I right in thinking this doesn't get automatic upgrades?

I'm sure I saw a small business pack for under £200 inc - but can't remember which one it is now. All I really need now is Word and a database although I foresee using Powerpoint in the future. (I'm sure if I worked out how to use all these programs i would find endless uses for them )

BTW - I run XP and use AOL so don't use Outlook for my emails, if that makes a difference.

TIA

TM

dickibobboy

I would go for 2003. Office 2007 is slower on an older pc and saves in an different format to older versions so this could mess things up.

Ticklemouse

Thanks for that - my laptop is only a few months old and is a Core 2 Duo one, so should be able to cope with 2007.

Are you saying that if all my friends/clients etc use 2003 that I may have problems accessing anything they send me?

dickibobboy

Can i ask what applications you use?

Nile

I may be wrong but don't you only get the database MS Access with MS Office Professional?

Ticklemouse

On my laptop I would use Excel, Word and Outlook for definite. I have a PC with all the other ones loaded on it, but as my laptop is my main 'business' computer I want to store my database on there as well a my templates - letters, invoices etc.

I have looked at the Microsoft site and all the variations you can buy but there seem to be so many with slight variations that I don't want to get the wrong one. I'm boss-eyed trying to read all the small print and decide if a is better than b etc.

dickibobboy

Thats why i asked, need to know so we can advise. You will be able to open the files fine and save them fine. nut new files such as word documents save in a different format and are incompatible with other versions. You have to change the file type to older versions RTF every time you save the file. Not sure about programs such as excel and access

Ticklemouse

Nile wrote: »

I may be wrong but don't you only get the database MS Access with MS Office Professional?

Hi

I have Access on my PC but I've never used it. My database is a fairly simple "list" of names and addresses of suppliers that I can put into assorted categories. I have been using Outlook up to now.

Told you I was a numpty - is Access that much better?

dickibobboy

If it is only them three i could recommend http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-007-MS&groupid=33&catid=124&subcat=

albertross_2

Laptops have a habit of getting knicked, and hard disks have a habit of failing/getting corrupt. So if you use it for business, backup!

Stephen_Leak

As you are running XP, go for Office 2003. I could only recommend Office 2007, if you had a new PC with Vista.