probably a stupid question, but sharing of files (excel/word,etc) possible?

[commie1997]

I've always been a 'PC'/Windows user, lately been using the Surface Pro devices. However, I am looking for a change, and looking to switch to the MBP 14 or 16 whenever they are released. Mostly for the form factor, i am not a really power user. Using mostly the Office products, Visio, MS-Project ,browsing, and some proprietary cloud/erp products.

My question is, can I swap files like Excel/word/mpp/visio with other Windows computer? Most of my work environment uses Windows based computer. So if I get an excel file from an email, I can open it up with the MBP, make updates to the file? send it back, and the other Windows user can open the same file up?

 

[Gnattu]

Yes you can. The compatibility issue usually comes from office itself, as different version of office may interpret files differently, or the fonts installed, because Windows and macOS has different font sets. I suggest you to install MS fonts on you Mac if you exchange office file with Windows frequently.

 

[bobcomer]

I've always been a 'PC'/Windows user, lately been using the Surface Pro devices. However, I am looking for a change, and looking to switch to the MBP 14 or 16 whenever they are released. Mostly for the form factor, i am not a really power user. Using mostly the Office products, Visio, MS-Project ,browsing, and some proprietary cloud/erp products.

My question is, can I swap files like Excel/word/mpp/visio with other Windows computer? Most of my work environment uses Windows based computer. So if I get an excel file from an email, I can open it up with the MBP, make updates to the file? send it back, and the other Windows user can open the same file up?

There might be some minor differences with Office, especially if you use macros, but it should work for the most part, however I don't think there's an MS Project for the Mac. Also file sharing (SMB) works a bit differently, so you'd have to adapt.

 

[maternidad]

I'm fairly certain the details described here are of no relevance to you. All Office fonts are installed with Office software.

So if I get an excel file from an email, I can open it up with the MBP, make updates to the file? send it back, and the other Windows user can open the same file up?

Yes.

 

[MevetS]

I've always been a 'PC'/Windows user, lately been using the Surface Pro devices. However, I am looking for a change, and looking to switch to the MBP 14 or 16 whenever they are released. Mostly for the form factor, i am not a really power user. Using mostly the Office products, Visio, MS-Project ,browsing, and some proprietary cloud/erp products.

My question is, can I swap files like Excel/word/mpp/visio with other Windows computer? Most of my work environment uses Windows based computer. So if I get an excel file from an email, I can open it up with the MBP, make updates to the file? send it back, and the other Windows user can open the same file up?

I do not think there is a macOS version of Visio nor Project. But it has been a while since I last checked.

 

[GloryToUkraine]

Visio is not available in MacOS. It has only the web version.

 

[nieks]

looking to switch to the MBP 14 or 16 whenever they are released. Mostly for the form factor, i am not a really power user.

I'm gonna be the last one to tell you what to do, but as we are on a forum, I have to ask... why on earth would you want to spend the money on a 14 or 16" powerhouse in the "pro" section of Apple products, while you only use Office products and some light webbrowsing??? With one of these products you are gonna spend probably $2000+. Meanwhile, a current edition of the 13" MacBook Air is perfectly fine for your needs.

 

[za9ra22]

Moving files between a Mac and Windows PC has not been an issue for many years. I use both every day, and transfer is pretty seamless.

No issue with fonts either.

I even share files with a Linux system to/from both Mac and PC, and that isn't an issue either - LibreOffice is an excellent cross-platform alternative to MS Office.

 

[commie1997]

Visio is not available in MacOS. It has only the web version.

would it be possible to run Visio and Project through Parallels virtualisation?

I'm gonna be the last one to tell you what to do, but as we are on a forum, I have to ask... why on earth would you want to spend the money on a 14 or 16" powerhouse in the "pro" section of Apple products, while you only use Office products and some light webbrowsing??? With one of these products you are gonna spend probably $2000+. Meanwhile, a current edition of the 13" MacBook Air is perfectly fine for your needs.

You're probably correct that the MBA will do me just fine. I am also basing on the assumption with the sneak peek of the new MBP's form factor. I prefer that square form than the MBA. I am likely going for at least a 16GB ram and 512GB hard drive spec, and the difference in price between the two was a few hundred dollars, might as well go for the form factor that I prefer.
When I got my Surface Pro 16GB 512, it was getting close to $3000+, so if I can replace that with a MBP closer to 2000, I would be happy.

 

[bobcomer]

would it be possible to run Visio and Project through Parallels virtualisation?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it for real work. You have to install the Arm version of Windows, get into the insider program, and install every dev build that comes out, which, right now, is about once a week, and it's a crap shoot whether it will work correctly or not. (Mostly good these days, but there have been gotchas.

 

[bobcomer]

And btw, if you do go parallels/WOA, get the MBP, it has active cooling, the air doesn't.

 

[Leon1das]

I switched from Surface Pro 7 i7 to M1 MBA then to M1 MBP.

You will enjoy the machine absolutely. Personal impressions:

SP7 is a no match to M1 Macs in many ways:

- First form factor - SP7 cant be used on a lap or in bed. Laptop form factor is way better and useful everywhere.

Also no more wobbling of keyboard on the table like with Surface keyboard. People who praise Surface keyboard are right - thats a great tablet keyboard - but its way below average laptop keyboard.

- M1 Macs have the best laptop keyboards (butterfly is now abandonded) and THE best touchpad (they call it trackpad for some reason) that you have ever seen.
Its not about improving touchpad vs other laptops - the technology used is different. Hardware clicks are not real but "emulated" by vibration motor inside. After you spend a day with it - you will not want to leave

- Screen color temp is much better calibrated then on SP7. No yellow tint.

- Battery life is crazy on M1 Macs. Double compared to SP7.

- SP7 has magnesium body - and its overal thermal profile is bad. Magnesium gives sturdiness but its thermal conductivity is disastrous.
SP7 heats and overheats.
M1 Mac cannot be pushed enough...

- Finally and important: SP7 is sealed device. Having dust in i7 model fan or dying battery? You can hang yourself.
M1 Macs have replaceable battery and like most of laptops internals are accessible.

Only advantage of Surface is full USB-A port and touch screen. Nothing, nothing else.

M1 Mac can run Windows 10 Arm which now fully emulates x86 and x64 apps - so for the price of Parallels and Windows license - you can have Win 10 apps working super fast on M1. Actually they will work faster then on SP7 i7.
In case of considering virtualization - I suggest to take 16Gb M1 Mac... It will work on 8Gb but will use swap.

MacOS takes 1 week to get used to after Windows - mostly apps and windows switching - but once you get that, it gives sustained joy - no interruptions like mandatory OS updates (like on Windows) and no need for antivirus apps...

 

[bobcomer]

o for the price of Parallels and Windows license

Except they don't sell licenses for Windows on Arm, and no, just because it activates with a x86 Windows key, it does not mean it's licensed. Microsoft only sells licenses to OEMs. That's why I said you had to be a windows insider, and you have to update with ever dev build that comes out. (a sore spot with me, I'd definitely buy a license if I could so I wouldn't have to update all the time!)

 

[Leon1das]

Except they don't sell licenses for Windows on Arm, and no, just because it activates with a x86 Windows key, it does not mean it's licensed. Microsoft only sells licenses to OEMs. That's why I said you had to be a windows insider, and you have to update with ever dev build that comes out. (a sore spot with me, I'd definitely buy a license if I could so I wouldn't have to update all the time!)

They dont.
But activation key activates it - it just remains to be Insider build - and has enforced updates as it expires the moment when newer Insider build is available. Clearly not ideal - but currently best available option.
Speed remains to be insane on M1.

 

[bobcomer]

Speed remains to be insane on M1.

I don't agree with that either, especially when running WoA, but whatever.

Clearly not ideal - but currently best available option.

For real work, one has to worry about the licensing and constant updates -- so it's not a very good option.

 

[Leon1das]

I don't agree with that either, especially when running WoA, but whatever.

In comparison with Intel Core i7 1065G7 which is in SP7 - Mac M1 runs x86 and x64 apps in virtualized (WoA) and then emulated (Windows own x86 and x64 emulation) way faster than above mentioned Core i7 who executes in its native environment - with M1 being average by 50-60% faster in Windows apps and games (measuring framerates) - and all of this using 4 Gb assigned Windows RAM (on 8Gb M1 MBP) versus 16 Gb RAM on SP7 i7.

This was the first thing I tested when I got M1 MBP and I speak from experience. I got 2 conclusions:

1. Apple has terrific advance with M1 machines.

2. Microsoft made terrific job with WoA - speaking about x86 and x64 emulation. They really did.

Irony is - due lack of Microsoft's access to better CPUs - Windows on Arm works best on M1 Macs.

We can agree to disagree. I stand with my conclusions reached by my own testing.

 

[Lihp8270]

There might be some minor differences with Office, especially if you use macros, but it should work for the most part, however I don't think there's an MS Project for the Mac. Also file sharing (SMB) works a bit differently, so you'd have to adapt.

Fwiw. I do a lot of macro work in excel.

They tend to be 95% compatible. The only differences is when it comes to file and window handling.

 

[bobcomer]

file and window handling.

Exactly. Almost all my macros use that. (for reporting)

 

[bobcomer]

n comparison with Intel Core i7 1065G7 which is in SP7 - Mac M1 runs x86 and x64 apps in virtualized (WoA) and then emulated (Windows own x86 and x64 emulation) way faster than above mentioned CPU (on average by 50-60% faster) including apps and games (measuring framerates) - and all of this using 4 Gb assigned Windows RAM (on 8Gb M1 MBP) versus 16 Gb RAM on SP7 i7.

So? That doesn't change my opinion any since I have actual experience with both the M1 and many other machines.

This was the first thing I tested when I got M1 MBP and I speak from experience.

Your experience is not my experience.

Microsoft made terrific job with WoA - including x86 and x64 emulation.

I'd give them a grade of D with WoA. That's the main problem here, not the M1 and not Parallels, but WoA, it's not licensable, and it has other problems as is.

We can agree to disagree. I stand with my conclusions reached by my own testing.

As do I. We definitely disagree!

 

[James_C]

I've always been a 'PC'/Windows user, lately been using the Surface Pro devices. However, I am looking for a change, and looking to switch to the MBP 14 or 16 whenever they are released. Mostly for the form factor, i am not a really power user. Using mostly the Office products, Visio, MS-Project ,browsing, and some proprietary cloud/erp products.

My question is, can I swap files like Excel/word/mpp/visio with other Windows computer? Most of my work environment uses Windows based computer. So if I get an excel file from an email, I can open it up with the MBP, make updates to the file? send it back, and the other Windows user can open the same file up?

I have been using a Mac at various companies I have worked for since 2002, where the majority of the other users are using Windows. These days it is much easier than it used to be. Currently I work for a company, using a M1 MBA. Apart from the CEO who uses a 16” Intel MBP, everyone else uses Windows. I have no problems sharing and collaborating with others in the company using Office 365. I use Parallels and Windows for Arm to access the Sage accounting software we use. Macs these days play nicely with Windows networks and it is easy to connect to various sharepoints.

As others have mentioned, there is no Mac version of Visio or project. However I have been using Omni Graffle for years and while I have not used Visio for over 15 years, I don’t miss it at all. Omni Graffle can read and save Visio files. Omni also make a professional Project management app called OmniPlan the Pro version of this can import and export project files.

 

[commie1997]

I have been using a Mac at various companies I have worked for since 2002, where the majority of the other users are using Windows. These days it is much easier than it used to be. Currently I work for a company, using a M1 MBA. Apart from the CEO who uses a 16” Intel MBP, everyone else uses Windows. I have no problems sharing and collaborating with others in the company using Office 365. I use Parallels and Windows for Arm to access the Sage accounting software we use. Macs these days play nicely with Windows networks and it is easy to connect to various sharepoints.

As others have mentioned, there is no Mac version of Visio or project. However I have been using Omni Graffle for years and while I have not used Visio for over 15 years, I don’t miss it at all. Omni Graffle can read and save Visio files. Omni also make a professional Project management app called OmniPlan the Pro version of this can import and export project files.

Thanks for your insights.....I am a process/management consultant, so we love our process flows and project plans, almost as much as we love our powerpoint decks.

I'll have to look into OmniGraffle and OmniPlan and see if that will meet my Visio and Project needs.

 

[James_C]

Thanks for your insights.....I am a process/management consultant, so we love our process flows and project plans, almost as much as we love our powerpoint decks.

I think you will love OmniGraffle it’s a great product, as are all the Omni group apps ( they are not cheap through, but you get what you pay for). Apple’s presentation App, Keynote is actually better than PowerPoint. However if you need to collaborate you may need to stick to PowerPoint. Excel and Word are better than Apple’s Pages and Numbers though. If I am producing a presentation I generally use Keynote, unless it has embedded Excel tables, in which case I tend to use PowerPoint.

I have also used OmniFocus for around 12 years, it’s a great GTD / task management App.