Microsoft office - which version should I go for?

J_B

Sandtree said:

J_B said:

I've had a couple of 365 'lifetime - 5 user' subscriptions off eBay for around a fiver ... so far, so good.

Why have you needed a couple of them? Unless you've a dozen kids it sounds like things haven't been plain sailing.

New computer and I couldn't remember the password for the old one - doh!

Now, at least, if one fails, I can use the other!

rdr

desktop said:

I bought a licence key for Office Pro Plus from eBay for about £6.  Worked like a charm and issue free for the last approx 18 months.

I bought one for under £3 and then ebay closed the listing and refunded me, still works.
Tempted by the syndicate option though as 1TB of cloud storage is attractive.

[Deleted User]

If your work involves computers - you may have access to Home Use Program - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/home-use-program?&ef_id=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRgroNj35-7sdZAm3v7p7J6HQOR6-8_LyxCcH6szQDm8Y5KoCjxoHJIaAsPLEALw_wcB:G:s&OCID=AID2100138_SEM_Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRgroNj35-7sdZAm3v7p7J6HQOR6-8_LyxCcH6szQDm8Y5KoCjxoHJIaAsPLEALw_wcB:G:s&lnkd=Google_O365SMB_Brand&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRgroNj35-7sdZAm3v7p7J6HQOR6-8_LyxCcH6szQDm8Y5KoCjxoHJIaAsPLEALw_wcB

Archie_Duke

If you want the free version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint. All ‘for the web’ (O365 lite) versions. Look at https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web . You need to set up a Microsoft account if you don’t already have one, but there’s no need to pay for an Office subscription, or pay for a slightly iffy installation key.

tempus_fugit

silvercar said:

From previous threads on here, I can see theunitysoft.com sell office standard 2019 for £22.99, but the blurb states:
”

• Classic versions of the Office apps installed on one PC or Mac: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher
• Web versions of Word, OneNote, Excel, and PowerPoint”

Does the first blob contradict the second?

they also sell office professional plus 2019 for £26.99 and office home 2016 for £18.99, the latter doesn’t have outlook, but as I said I’m not sure if I need it.

They don't contradict each other. What it means its that you can install the classic applications on ONE computer. If you want to use them on any other computers, you have to use the web versions. 

silvercar

Thanks for all the comments.
I need office rather than any free offerings as I often have to collaborate on documents.
I also want something on my machine rather than the web.
I’m thinking that I want outlook included, so it’s a question of 365 or 2019. There is some offer on the laptop for 365 of half price 39.99 for the first year. This suggests that 365 is already on my new laptop, so would downloading 2019 mean they both sit there? Is this an issue?

Neil_Jones

silvercar said:

Thanks for all the comments.
I need office rather than any free offerings as I often have to collaborate on documents.
I also want something on my machine rather than the web.
I’m thinking that I want outlook included, so it’s a question of 365 or 2019. There is some offer on the laptop for 365 of half price 39.99 for the first year. This suggests that 365 is already on my new laptop, so would downloading 2019 mean they both sit there? Is this an issue?

Decision is up to you.  If you go for the standalone Office 2019 (soon to be superseded by Office 2021) it is static.  You just get the security updates, no new features.  If you buy 2019 and want to go to 2021 you have to buy it all over again.  Office 2019 drops out of mainstream support in 2025 so no more updates.  Outlook is part of Office Home & Business which is something like £250 on its own, a bit steep just to get access to Outlook.  Pro:  Can use it "forever", albeit technology will move on so your hand will be forced anyway at some point.

The 365 subscription gets evolution and new features on a rolling basis.  Yes it costs pear year but if you get the right licence you can have it on up to 5 computers so it may be better value if you can "share" it.  When Office 2021 comes out you are entitled to upgrade to it for nothing.  Subscription costs are officially from £60/£80 but you can beat this easily. Its always supported and always the latest version.  Downside:  No active subscription = no saving of documents.  Much like Sky TV, no pay no view.

In either case you can use the web versions regardless.  If you always want to stay up to date, 365 will give you that, all done automatically (but make sure you shop around when your subscription is due to end, much like car insurance don't just let it renew automatically).  If you just want something that works and won't evolve, Office 2019.  What you buy is what you get, it will not visually change.  In 10/15/20 years you may have to change the software anyway, as technologies in email servers come along and the older email clients don't support it.  Note that modern versions of Office (from 2007 onwards) is very similar to Windows 10 so if you've seen the "ribbon" design in Explorer (ie the big chunky buttons at the top of This PC), same principle in Office.  This is different from 2003 but once you get used to it, its quite neat.

Speedster2

silvercar said:

Thanks for all the comments.
I need office rather than any free offerings as I often have to collaborate on documents.
I also want something on my machine rather than the web.
I’m thinking that I want outlook included, so it’s a question of 365 or 2019. There is some offer on the laptop for 365 of half price 39.99 for the first year. This suggests that 365 is already on my new laptop, so would downloading 2019 mean they both sit there? Is this an issue?

I wouldn’t get too hung up on the bit I’ve made bold from your latest post. With the free version you’re getting the latest iteration without needing to wait for any updates that may be sitting waiting and nagging you to download, update and (probably) restart your computer when all you want to do is crack on with editing a document!

Yes, some of the functionality of the full-fat versions will be missing, but it probably won’t affect you unless you are an Office power-user. You can still choose where you save your documents, you can save to the MS account cloud, or save and back up on your own device.

You’d be okay with sharing/collaborating using it too. This is from the page linked above: 

‘Create, share, and collaborate for free with Office on the web’

Your dollars/pounds; your choice in the end.