MS Office 2003 vs 2007

Is there really much of a difference between the two? I am looking at an Inspiron 1525 from Costco, and it comes with Office 2007. I can also get the same config for $50 cheaper without Office. I already have Office 2003, which works perfectly fine for me on my Inspiron 8600, running XP Home.

I usually don't bother with pre-installed software, preferring to have the media for re-installs. But, for $50, it seemed to be worth it.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

Office 2007 for $50 bucks extra is well worth it IMO. Hell that's even less than what students pay. I'd jump on it.

 

yeah i like it alot... because its backwards compatible.. and i noticed alot of files my fellow students send me from college and they are the .docx files which are the new ones. and they are not readable with 2003

 

2007 > 2003

It does more. Is easier to use and for 2003 veterans, it still has the old hotkeys. Unless you enjoy memorizing menus, you'll love the new interface. Plus, Outlook 2007 owns Outlook 2003.

If you use Excel, the Chart tools are far easier to use.

You can download an update that will allow Word 2003 to view *.docx files

 

I wouldn't say '07 owns '03 but it's different. Alot more difficult to use than its 2003 counterpart. Especially MS Word '07...but after getting use to it I guess it's somewhat better.

 

You can also save files in Word 2007 in Word 2003 format.

I have found 2007 to be much faster than 2003 and easier to use--once you get used to it.

 

I'm with Jakpro, once you got used to it, 2007 is in fact better than 2003.

 

I like Outlook 2007 the best. Word is great too but excel is amazing!

 

2007 hands down. Excel 2007 seems to have a lot more friendly interface when creating analytical reports/dashboards.

 

It takes some getting used to but it is a good update

 

I like 2007 and its ribbon interface. I have also started using OneNote. It's a bit tricky to use, but it seems pretty powerful once you have it down. For $50 bucks you might as well be up to date.

 

To me, 2007 vastly different and I like it a lot more than 2003.

I'm trying to teach myself how to use it. I like it so far, but I don't really know what I'm doing. I can't wait to really learn it so that I can begin to utilize it.

 

I found looking at these tutorials helped me out a ton.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/getstarted/FX101055081033.aspx

The best thing about the ribbon interface is the Live Preview. Point at a button and your document elements will change to what that button will do. Gives you an easy way to make up your mind between different chart styles.

 

Good link, surfasb. I will keep it for future reference as I continue to learn One Note.

 

Thank you for the link, surfasb. Also, I totally agree with you about the live preview function. I think it's actually one of the features that I like the most.

 

Not really. When you're used to the old UI it does take sometimes though (just like XP->Vista) but for a begginer, 2007 is way more untuitive

 

I switched to 2007 for school last year and at first it was a little disorienting with the ribbon but you get used to it. The one thing to note is that .docx format documents are new to 2007 and cannot be opened by any versions of office before 2007.

 

I have had the same problem, so sometimes I must save using the older .doc.

 

I'd go for it, if you haven't already made the purchase.

I made the mistake of trying to adapt to Windows Vista AND Office 2007 simultaneously (when both were new) and had a very bad aftertaste as a result. I'm also a CPA and, if there's one thing we hate, it's change! The interface change ('Ribbon') is still counter-intuitive to me, but thankfully there are several very inexpensive (or free) utilities that can mimic the 2003 interface/menus.

MSO 2007 does have some added functionality that is very useful, several little things I've found so far- mostly in Excel. For new users, the 'Ribbon' probably works well enough....but from all I've I've seen and read online, I'm just one of millions of long-time users who can't seem to adapt to the new look.

Vista is a whole 'nother story!

 

Office 2003 can open .docx with a free update from Microsoft.

 

I'm not going to lie Outlook '07 is a much better and easier to configure piece of software. Word on the other hand...No thank you.

 

I was on O07 + Vista Beta2 at the same time. Was kinda nice imo. I'm not really advanced in office though.

 

I agree with this.

I'm not sure about other programs such as Excel, Access, or PowerPoint. Haven't had any need to use these yet. But Word is so...ugh. You just gotta get use to it I guess

 

I can vouch for Excel, Word, and Powerpoint. I think they're all improvements that work and the ribbon makes working a lot easier. I recently started doing work with Visio, and it seems like something that I'm going to enjoy learning about. We'll see.

OP, again, I don't think you can go wrong with upgrading, especially for only an additional $50 (however, I say that not knowing your financial situation). Whenever we get into a debate about switching, though, I always give the new technology/software the advantage because, like it or not, it's usually what everyone will eventually come to use. It may not be immediate, but it does happen eventually in most cases.

 

I am using Office 2007, and I would definitley recommend it. It's not worth to save $50 by using 2003. There are so many extras, not to mention a better interface offered by 2007.

 

Thanks for all your input. If I decide to go ahead with the notebook purchase, I will add the Office option. Even though, after looking at it again, it's only the Student version. There's been so much denigrating of the Dell Inspiron that I haven't been able to jump in and buy it anyway. This particular Inspiron has a better quality processor, loads of ram, and a 2-yr warranty through Costco, so it's better in IMO than something you'd pick up at one of the big box retailers.

Thanks again for your thoughts on Office 07.

 

tbh...i haven't used it all that much...but really hate the GUI...too big of a change for me

 

The student edition is still great. That's what I have and that's all I need.

 

yup. 2007 > 2003

 

2007 is amazingly better when you get used to the UI.

If you are too lazy to get used to a UI, you should not have a computer.

 

I totally agree.

 

I switched to office 07 back in September. It took me a whole 10 minutes to learn. The interface is MUCH easier to use

 

That is one of the best quotes I ever heard.

 

i have a patch that sort of bring backs the top toolbar (file, edit, view) if anyone is interested?

 

I don't find that feature that great. You can just hit cntl-z. But its still nice.

I find that the ribbon is the killer feature. Mail merge, all that complicated stuff is easily found because those tabs are very easy to find.

2007>2003 FTW

 

I had Office 2007 installed on my notebook for 1 month and I never used it. When the time came for my reports, I realized it was crap and switched back to 2003 where I know my way around.

 

...i use open office. i have office 2003 on one computer, thats nice, then i have office 2007, which i hate, though it is good, and of course, i have open office on my other comptuer. it does everything that ms office does (as far as i can see) i figure, why pop out 100 bucks or so for softwear i can get for free?

 

LOVE 2007 is all I have to say. I got it on release day last year and I have to say I never looked back. Took me a good month to get used to things, but once you do you end up using the program unconsciencely.