Any news on Microsoft releasing a "Mactel" version of Office?

First thing I should say is, I am starting college in the fall so obviously I'll need wordprocessing, etc.

Basically, I was actually starting to like the Macbook/Macbook Pros, even with all the purported heat issues. Then, I went online to see what the deal was with Office for OSX, mainly, how much it costs since I've never seen an option for it when I configured a Macbook when I just wanted to see how much certain configurations cost. I was on Apple's official website's store, and there were a lot of people saying that not only does Powerpoint for the OSX version suck no matter what, but that performance is horrible on the new "Mactels" due to the need for Rosetta!

This is a big concern for me because I'd like to have the standard applications for word processing, slide shows, and what-not. And my other concern is, will they be improving the OSX version of Powerpoint overall?

I could most likely get a copy of XP and the XP version of Office from my dad's work for no cost, but it'd be a pain in the ass I'd think to have to use Bootcamp every time I wanted to do word processing, Powerpoint, etc, especially when I'm sure I'll be doing word processing, etc, in the library a lot and won't want to have to drag extra stuff like a mouse around so that I can actually use XP (as in, right-clicking)--plus, all my music would be on the OSX partition, which would suck if I wanted music while doing work.

 

If all else fails, you could try Open Office. I heard good things about it -- And best of all, its free.

http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/ooo-osx_downloads.html

I believe it also supports Microsoft Office's file formats. But I'm uncertain about it's stability and performance in OS X.

 

See, the thing is, I'm not so much concerned about my being able to handle documents from the XP version of Office, but about XP machines running Office being able to handle the documents that I make on the Mac. Would the compatibility run both ways with Open Office?

 

Compatability should be no issue. Each program (either Mac or PC) will work with the other.

I have also read that Office 2004 for Mac does suffer a performance hit due to Rosetta. But honestly, office suites are not heavy resource hogs. I can't see how it would be an issue.

 

I'm looking at getting office as well, I have the trial of it on my macbook right now, but I am waiting to get my 2 gb of memory in before I start that.

I'm hoping by the start of Fall term there will be a universal version out by then.

However, don't forget about Pages, it seems to be a pretty nice program, but I haven't checked what file formats it can do yet.

 

I have used Word on my MBP a fair amount, and it takes a while to load, but after that it is fairly quick. Obviously not as fast as a Universal would be, but not bad. Another option for you would be parallels to use you XP version until Office for Mac 2007 comes out. Speak of which, the PC version of Office 2007 was just delayed, so expect the Mac version a while after that. Basically probably not anytime real soon for a Universal.

 

I wonder if they will decide to release an OS X version of windows for the new macs that run the superior x86 pc hardware...it seems that they might be risking unintentionally handing a native version of office to linux users too. Also maintaining the rosetta version as the preferred mac option would also benefit them in that some people who use office frequently would be turned off by the inferior performance while still getting revenue from those who choose them. I mean I'm sure they will eventually.....but I'm sure they aren't in a rush if you know what I mean. Of course with the macs being hacked and apple being forced to release boot camp the need for this is even lesser (although you still have to deal with that weird one mouse button thing if you don't have a good usb mouse avaliable)