does apple have a program similar to microsoft word

[IJ Reilly]

For the love of Pete, do NOT get iWork if you're looking for a word processor. Despite what the Apple salespeople may tell you, Pages is NOT a word processor, it's a page layout program. Yes you can do word processing in it, but I wouldn't recommend it. If you just need basic word processing, text edit does a decent job. If you need fancier functions and most importantly Word compatibility, then just get Office. If you're not in a rush, wait for the next version if you have an intel Mac.

Despite what some people will tell you, Pages is a word processor.

Word, and maybe even Pages, is huge overkill for most users, and especially for someone who just wants to write a few letters. TextEdit might even do the job, provided that you aren't concerned with niceties such as headers and footers, page numbers, and paragraph styles.

 

[skunk]

I don't know what they're paying you, IJ, but it's not nearly enough.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I don't know what they're paying you, IJ, but it's not nearly enough.

It's an obsessive-compulsive disorder. They're complimentary.

 

[MatthewCobb]

You're right, IJ. Most of Word's "features" are pointless and don't get used by people. On the other hand, I use it - OpenOffice slow and ugly, TextEdit too low-tech. But then, I get it free from work.

BTW, I thought the general historical argument was that it was the MacPlus (see sig) which saved Apple, not Word. There were typewriters for word processing! In those days, we were doing A3 page lay-up on RageMaker 1.0, with that tiny MacPlus B&W screen.

You young folk don't know you're born! (Stomps off in a grump)

 

[skunk]

You young folk don't know you're born! (Stomps off in a grump)

Easy, gramps.

Time for your tablets again.

 

[ChickenSwartz]

I wonder why people don't want to use MS Word.

Because it is VERY expensive for basic word processing needs. It would be like buying a Ferrari when all you do is use it to drive to the mail box.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Because it is VERY expensive for basic word processing needs. It would be like buying a Ferrari when all you do is use it to drive to the mail box.

More like a Lincoln Navigator, but point taken.

 

[clevin]

Because it is VERY expensive for basic word processing needs. It would be like buying a Ferrari when all you do is use it to drive to the mail box.

i think mac: office 2004 student version is not that bad in price, $149 for 3 licenses, and including all important components.

 

[YS2003]

Because it is VERY expensive for basic word processing needs. It would be like buying a Ferrari when all you do is use it to drive to the mail box.

I think the pricing point is based on each person's budget. For me, the cost of MS Office 2004 was nothing. I did not even hesitate on the pricing. It's not that expensive as it is less than $500 (I forgot the exact pricing).

 

[Flowbee]

I have MS Word on my machine, but I write mostly using TextEdit. 95% of what I write doesn't require any special formatting. If I were a student and needed to create outlines, footnotes, etc. I'd be using Word for sure.

 

[dpaanlka]

I have MS Word on my machine, but I write mostly using TextEdit. 95% of what I write doesn't require any special formatting. If I were a student and needed to create outlines, footnotes, etc. I'd be using Word for sure.

Actually, TextEdit can do all of those things, quite nicely actually.