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How is the Mac version of Office compared with the Windows version these days?
- Thread starter hajime
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Compared to 20 (or even 10) years ago, the Mac version and the PC version are essentially equal. That said, there are still differences in performances and capabilities. IMHO, MS has been delivering Office under the file tab: "You want it bad, you'll get it, bad". I use them both, though Mac 95% of the time.
Feature-wise... the Windows version is still more feature-rich but the gap has significantly closed. Regarding performance, the mac version is excruciatingly slow in comparison. There is a very large difference in the size of executables that causes slower load times under macOS. The differences are less on SSD-equipped devices but still a difference.
The macOS version has one annoying difference... two menu bars. One is in the standard system bar at the top of the screen, the other is in the app window. they're not duplicates but complementary and it is a bit of hit-or-miss to determine which menu bar has the function you're looking for.
Take a look at this comparision of Outlook. This should give you an idea on some of the gaps that still exist in Outlook.
https://support.office.com/en-us/ar...fice-365-6cedb585-710a-4eac-a03b-0d333a3d333b
In my opinion, based on years of using both environments, the Windows version of Outlook is undeniably much better and more efficient. The corp/Exchange/Office 365 integrations work much better than on Mac (as you can see in the link above) as that is where Microsoft is focusing on - the corp users.
A lot of features related to managing multiple mailboxes, calendars, corporate distribution groups, tasks/to-do's are either not present on Mac version or gimped to the point were Outlook on the web (Webmail) is better. As a corporate power user or an executive assistant managing demanding C-level staff, you won't fare well using Office for Mac; however, from a home user or small office perspective, the above gaps/limitations probably have minimal impact, so Office for Mac will be just fine.
https://support.office.com/en-us/ar...fice-365-6cedb585-710a-4eac-a03b-0d333a3d333b
In my opinion, based on years of using both environments, the Windows version of Outlook is undeniably much better and more efficient. The corp/Exchange/Office 365 integrations work much better than on Mac (as you can see in the link above) as that is where Microsoft is focusing on - the corp users.
A lot of features related to managing multiple mailboxes, calendars, corporate distribution groups, tasks/to-do's are either not present on Mac version or gimped to the point were Outlook on the web (Webmail) is better. As a corporate power user or an executive assistant managing demanding C-level staff, you won't fare well using Office for Mac; however, from a home user or small office perspective, the above gaps/limitations probably have minimal impact, so Office for Mac will be just fine.
I don't think it's completely fair to use Outlook as a benchmark for Office as a whole.
In some ways Outlook is like Messages on iOS; it's a killer app of sorts for Windows, and MS makes money from it by selling more expensive versions of Office packages, and Exchange licenses.
To create a Mac version with feature parity would cede that advantage, and could make Windows less attractive to some users.
For most (read casual) users, the core Office apps have been converging ever since MS embarked on the effort to unify the various code bases and desktop UIs. But I'm sure disparities still exist in deeper features like VBA.
But on the whole, it's easier now to switch between the platforms than it was 20 years ago.
In some ways Outlook is like Messages on iOS; it's a killer app of sorts for Windows, and MS makes money from it by selling more expensive versions of Office packages, and Exchange licenses.
To create a Mac version with feature parity would cede that advantage, and could make Windows less attractive to some users.
For most (read casual) users, the core Office apps have been converging ever since MS embarked on the effort to unify the various code bases and desktop UIs. But I'm sure disparities still exist in deeper features like VBA.
But on the whole, it's easier now to switch between the platforms than it was 20 years ago.
Agreed. I work for a company with 100,000 workers, and roughly half have Macs. We run on Office. Sure, we have other apps/tools, but scheduling is all Outlook. For the most part, people use what they want. For me, I also agree that the Windows version of Office is better in many regards. But over the years I weigh that against the cost of running Windows. So I stick with the Mac version.