AT A GLANCE
- Outlook is back!
- Email conversation threading
- 'Today' column view in calendar invites
- Well-designed Word and PowerPoint templates
It takes a lot for me to admit that anything made by Microsoft can be good, I'm an Apple fangirl through and through. But I'm also a businesswoman, one who gets up to 400 emails a day and has to pump out 3-5 PowerPoint presentations a week. This means I need Microsoft Office. In fact, I'd be so bold as to say my business software can make or break my productivity.
After using Office 2004 (don't laugh) for the past year, I finally got my grubby paws on the brand spanking new Office 2011 for Mac. I've been using it for a while and it has literally changed my life. Firstly, Outlook is back. – HALLELUJAH! In 2002, Microsoft decided to punish Mac users and replaced what, in my opinion, is the best email client in the world with Entourage (more than likely the worst email client in the world). They have finally relented and brought Outlook back. It is literally Manna from Heaven... I'm serious.
Firstly it has threaded conversation views, meaning if you work in a company where 'Reply to All' is part of the mission and vision, your life just got easier. So someone's sent a "Happy Birthday to Jane in Accounts" email and 50 people have replied? You can now delete them all with a simple flick of the wrist. Whoosh!
It is also considerate. So, Mike sent you a calendar invite for a boozy lunch? Outlook has a tear off 'Today' column embedded in the invite which allows you to see if it clashes with that monthly report presentation, and then move your day around so you can get sozzled with Mike... without having to click into the Calendar. Yes, yes, I know some of you may say, "But Apple's Mail app does all this." And I would say – you obviously don't get as much mail as I do. Outlook is the only way.
Oops! I'm so enamoured with Outlook I've used most of my column space so I'll briefly run through the three other stooges; Word, PowerPoint and Excel. They are pretty similar to Office 2010 for Windows, they have great intuitive functionality and thankfully Microsoft hasn't changed the UI too much from Office 2007 for PC (what I used to use back when I was on the dark side of the force), so I actually know where to find things!
It's a bit annoying how Word and PowerPoint constantly try to 'think' for you. Sometimes I am trying to 'hack' the formatting OK Office? I don't appreciate you insisting in auto-bulleting, numbering, underlining and spacing things for me all the time. The beautifully designed PowerPoint and Word templates make up for it though – you don't need to be a designer to create stunning personal and small business marketing collateral faster than you can say 'Pete's Pool Repairs'.
And Excel? Excel is Excel man... you've got to have a degree in Astro-Physics to use that program properly... I'm sure it's great though, just ask any accountant or person who has to work with spread-sheets on a regular basis.
All in all, Office 2011 for Mac is my new best friend. In fact, I'm using it to correct the spelling on this article right now...
Turn ons:
- Outlook, Outlook, Outlook... did I mention Outlook?
- You can collaborate & share docs using web apps.... I haven't used this feature yet but people are raving about it
- It loads very quickly
Turn offs:
- Word and PowerPoint try to 'think' for you and auto-format everything
- I seem to have sold my soul to Microsoft... and I'm enjoying it!
Rating: 4/5
SRP:
- Home & Student edition of Office 2011 for Mac: R999, or R1 299 for a "family pack" of three licenses.
- Home & Business Office 2011 for Mac: R2 499, or R2 699 for a pack of two licenses.
