Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition

I have mixed feelings about this version of Office. On the positive side, I feel that the graphical capabilities are outstanding. The first day I worked in Word 2008, I created a very visually satisfying piece of Smart Art 4 my communications class, with little 2 no experience doing this before. Also, from my limited usage of the feature, I think the publishing layout view is very useful.

Now 4 the not-so-positives... I know not everyone is a fan of it, but I miss the ribbon interface from Office 2007 4 Windows. I wish they could have created a preference where you could select the standard or ribbon view. In my opinion, the ribbon was the most significant interface update since word processors went WYSIWYG in about 1988. I loved that I could hover the mouse over the ribbon area, scroll up or down 2 pick my menu, select my command, & have the menu remain. This makes repetitive (but not identical) formatting & document creation tasks an absolute breeze.

Also, unless I am missing something, there is no way 2 use the mouse scroll-wheel 2 zoom in & out of a document. In previous versions (and many other mac text editing/word processing apps), a Control-Scroll was the absolute easiest way 2 zoom in & out. In fact, I never realized how often I was zooming my document until I got this version & wasn't able 2 in the same manner.

Finally, why does the formatting palette float instead of anchor 2 the window? It drives me nuts that the tool palettes seem 2 almost operate independently of the applications themselves. Again, refer 2 my opinion on the omission of the ribbon interface 2 understand my frustration.

The single best thing about the Mac version of Office 2008 compared with the PC version of Office 2007, is that users aren't burdened by the Tool Bar Ribbon that radically changed the interface 4 PC users.
The second best thing is that this Student version comes with 3 licenses that allow you 2 put it on 3 Different machines.

Anyone who is familiar with Office already, will like this product, & it does make exchanging files with someone who is using Office 2007 easier, since it is compatible. That would be about the only reason I would get this product.

The other drawback from an email standpoint, is that Entourage (The Mac version of Outlook) on this version can not connect 2 an Exchange server, so forget about using this with any corporate email account that runs Exchange on the backend.

Overall the program functionality, & operations haven't changed much from previous versions, but you can get all the same power from Neo Office, which can create most of these same documents, & can read & edit older versions of Office documents. (not sure if Neo Office 4 the Mac can read PC versions of Office 2007 documents). Neo Office is a freeware or shareware program, that can be supported 4 a nominal donation.

I just got my wife a macbook & she was upset the Microsoft Office Trial that comes with it expired, so we got this version. Being a PC & Linux Guy, I had no issues with this version of office 4 Mac. She was able 2 use powerpoint & Word just like she would on a pc. It is a tad bit different than then PC version in looks & function, but essentially the same thing. I installed the Service Pack as well, so DO NOT FORGET TO INSTALL OFFICE SP1 4 Mac as soon as you install the product.
Nice price, Nice product.

I'm not a Mac user so here's my father's comments: Pretty good product once he got it running. Not user friendly or intuitive. Seems 2 have some bugs that freeze it but they seem 2 have resolved after a few days. Too soon 2 tell. Has this software been fully tested before marketed?

Office 2008 is a big improvement over its previous version. Easier groupings with the toolbox & better spelling, grammar, & fragmented sentence corrections.

Others has said that H&S is the cheapest of the versions out there & their right. You get Word, Excel, Power Point, Messenger, & Entourage (Like Outlook). You also can install it on 3 different computers. If you get your email from an Exchange server, this version of Office will not work 4 you. Entourage in the H&S edition doesn't support exchange. You will have 2 get one of the more expensive versions of Office, their Entourage does support Exchange. The Messenger 4 Mac doesn't support video chat. This is disappointing since iChat doesn't support MSN.

Another downside of this excellent product is it's startup time. It is by far the slowest thing 2 open on my MacBook Pro. Photoshop, InDesign, & other large programs start up faster than Word or Excel. Although I have 2 say that once they are started they don't seem 2 pull too much of my system resources.

Homework & Home Work will be easier than ever with Microsoft Office 2008 4 Mac Home & Student Edition. Get better results faster & create high-quality documents you can be proud of, with less frustration & more enjoyment.

Five Great Reasons 2 Get Office 2008 4 Mac Home & Student Edition: Universal applications: Office 2008 runs natively on both Intel- & PowerPC-based Macs. Intuitive interface: Reduce the time & frustration of learning new software & creating documents with visual galleries that present the right tools when you need them. Your Mac, more compatible: Office 2008 4 Mac & Windows-based 2007 Office products share the Open XML file formats & features like the Office Art graphics engine, so you'll be confident when sharing documents with colleagues, friends, & family across platforms. Beautiful documents: Good design is a click away with hundreds of new templates, Smart Art graphics, Publishing Layout View, & professional quality clip art & photos. Priced 4 home users: Don't need Microsoft Exchange Server Support or workflow management? Home & student users pay 4 just the features they need. Office 2008 4 Mac Home & Student Edition comes with three licenses of non-Exchange-enabled Office 2008 licensed 4 noncommercial computers. Which Version of Office 2008 is right 4 you? View this comparison chart.

Simplify Your Work
Your presentation will make an impact. Your documents will be professional. Your analysis will be insightful. And Office 2008 will be there.
The latest version of the industry standard 4 productivity software on the Macintosh platform, Microsoft Office 2008 4 Mac is more powerful & easier 2 use. Office 2008 combines Microsoft Word 4 Mac, Microsoft PowerPoint 4 Mac, Microsoft Excel 4 Mac, Microsoft Entourage 4 Mac, & Microsoft Messenger 4 Mac & lets you easily create high-impact documents & seamlessly share your ideas with others, whether they are on the Mac or Windows platform.

What's New in Office 4 Mac?

• Universal versions of the most popular productivity applications on the Macintosh platform (Universal applications run natively on Intel- & PowerPC-based Macs.)
• Microsoft Office 4 Mac natively supports the Open XML file formats 4 compatibility with Windows-based 2007 Microsoft Office products.
• A redesigned user interface & powerful new tools 4 simplifying work, creating great looking documents, & exchanging ideas & information with others.

Highlights of Office 2008 4 Mac

• Office 2008 is a Universal Binary, was built by Mac users 4 Mac users, & includes many features which take advantage of underlying technologies of the Macintosh platform.
• Office 2008 uses Open XML file formats 4 compatibility with Windows-based 2007 Microsoft Office products. XML file formats help reduce the risk of lost information due 2 damaged or corrupted files & also result in smaller file sizes--up 2 75 percent smaller than comparable binary documents. Office 2008 4 Mac is backward-compatible with earlier file formats & users can continue 2 use the older .doc, .xls, & .ppt binary formats.
• Elements Gallery is the foundation of the new user interface, & gives easy access 2 the most commonly used tools & templates. With the new UI, you'll harness the capabilities of Office 4 Mac more easily than ever before.
• Office 2008 includes OfficeArt, the powerful graphics engine also used in the Windows-based Office 2007 products. You get great cross-platform file fidelity & easy access 2 stunning visual & graphic effects.
• Your words will make an impact with the modern styling of SmartArt graphics, which makes transforming text & bulleted lists into professional diagrams & graphics one-click easy.
• A new Themes capability simplifies the process of applying a consistent look & feel across documents. Easily apply a complete set of colors, fonts, & effects 2 your Office 2008 documents, & change them as easily as changing your mind.
• Automator Actions 4 Workflows in Microsoft Office enables you 2 automate Office 2008 with more than 70 pre-defined actions built 2 simplify your work & extend your productivity. (Available in Office 2008 4 Mac & Office 2008 4 Mac Special Media Edition.)

Entourage 2008, the hub of Office 2008, helps it 2 happen, one task at a time.

Enjoy powerful new tools, over 100 designer templates, rich themes, & an intuitive user interface in Word 2008.

Entourage 2008
Your e-mails will spark ideas, you'll schedule meetings where creativity abounds. Entourage 2008, the hub of Office 2008, helps it 2 happen, one task at a time.

• My Day keeps you connected 2 the action. Schedules, tasks, & priorities in one easy, standalone interface. Time will have no choice but 2 be well-managed.
• Use color-coded categories, status indicators, & flexible To-Do list management humble even the most hectic schedules.
• Office 2008 4 Mac & Office 2008 Special Media Edition enable users 2 access their Microsoft Exchange server accounts with Entourage.
• Improved Junk E-Mail filtering capabilities & phishing protection tools help shield your inbox from the scourge of junk. Your inbox will breathe a sigh of relief.
• Projects submit 2 your superior management skills when you unleash the power of Project Center, With project details like e-mail messages, documents, schedules, & contacts in one convenient place, Project Center helps keep your information--and your stress--under control.

Word 2008
Powerful new tools, over 100 designer templates, rich themes, & an intuitive user interface in Word 2008 will help you 2 make your ideas look as good as they are.

• When you turn blah into brilliant, Publishing Layout View will elevate the way you think about Word 2008. This new specialized & customizable workspace lets users create incredibly rich documents such as newletters, flyers & brochures without a degree in design.
• Great looking document construction won't require a hard hat. New Templates, Themes, & Document Elements like cover pages & bibliographies make creating professional-looking output a snap.
• Your words will make an impact with the modern styling of SmartArt, which makes transforming text into high-quality graphics & diagrams as easy as one click.
• Dynamic Guides will help you keep all of your words & graphics in line & on point.
• Mass mailings will have a personal touch & Word 2008 Mail Merge Manager will guide you step by easy step.

Inspire your audience's imagination with compelling visuals & engaging layout in PowerPoint 2008.

Analyze, share, & manage your data, & easily create persuasive charts & thought-provoking graphs 4 powerful results with Excel 2008.

PowerPoint 2008
Your presentation is a story. PowerPoint 2008 will illustrate it. Inspire your audience's imagination with compelling visuals & engaging layout.

• Great ideas will get their graphic due with SmartArt graphics in PowerPoint 2008. Start with a blank slide or a bulleted list, and, with a click of a button, you'll have a stunning chart, table, map, or diagram.
• Designer Themes help you give your presentation a creative look, simply & quickly.
• The new Object Palette allows quick access 2 all your shapes, art, symbols, & pictures--including iPhoto files--in one easy-to-access space.
• Dynamic Guides will help you place & resize your graphic element 2 create professional-looking presentations in a snap.
• You'll lay out custom designs 2 showcase your unique content with custom layout capabilities in PowerPoint 2008.
• PowerPoint 2008 integration with Apple Remote Control lets you concentrate on your words, not your keyboard. Now control your presentation & engage your audience unleashed from the podium.

  Excel 2008
  It's a numbers game. With Excel 2008, analyze, share, & manage your data, & easily create persuasive charts & thought-provoking graphs 4 powerful results.

  • Ledger Sheets in Excel 2008 make tracking finances, inventories, even invoices & portfolios easy with preformulated spreadsheets & automatic calculations.
  • Charting improvements artfully convey the message your data is telling. You'll see your numbers in a whole new way.
  • The new prebuilt functions tackle the most common tasks & make creating error-free complex conditional formulas easier.
  • Quick access 2 formulas makes functions more functional with Formula Builder in Excel 2008.
  • Your data will know virtually no limits. Excel 2008 now supports over 16,000 columns & over 1 million rows.
  • Whether you're an Excel expert or a complete novice, Excel 2008 Formula AutoComplete simplifies your calculations by providing a dynamic pop-up menu so you can select & complete your formula.

  Messenger 4 Mac
  Convenience is the name of the game 4 Mac users who want 2 communicate instantly with family, friends & colleagues from one convenient place. Messenger 4 Mac is now a Universal application, & gives you more ways 2 share what's on your mind or on your plate.

  Use Messenger 4 Mac 2 instantly check the status of project team members, streamline workflow by sending documents directly from Word, or offer questions or comments on document changes instantly.

  • Yahoo! Interoperability will allow personal users 2 connect & message with Yahoo! Messenger 4 Mac users.
  • Your intentions will never again be in doubt when you create your own custom emoticons in Messenger 4 Mac.
  • Spelling Checker is now included in Messenger 4 Mac.
  • Let the world know your tastes when you display your iTunes selection with the new "What I'm listening 2 now" feature.