iWork - Worth it?

[MrFuji]

Now with the approaching Apple Notebook Event next tuesday, my own first Mac purchase is coming closer...

As I will do quite a bit of word processing and designing presentations I was wondering if iWork (which is a BTO option) would be worth its 80? or if I should try free alternatives like NeoOffice first.

Opinions appreciate:):)

[gazebee_]

I don't see any 'gotta-have-it' features in iWork. I think you'd be okay with Neo/Open Office. I stick to MS Office myself.

[what]

Keynote by itself is worth the full price of iWork.

[giga Veteran]

The mac will come with an iWork trial, so you can test it and see how you like it. For my college essays, Pages is more than enough.

Nothing has even come close to Keynote in terms of presentation software though. Probably the prettiest and most fluid presentation application available today.

[DarkBlade]

The mac will come with an iWork trial, so you can test it and see how you like it. For my college essays, Pages is more than enough.

Nothing has even come close to Keynote in terms of presentation software though. Probably the prettiest and most fluid presentation application available today.

I didn't think the Macs came with trials anymore...when I bought my Macbook over the summer it didn't have any on it. But in either case you can download the trial from Apple's website, so no worries. :)

[WigglesTheFish]

I bought my Macbook a month or so ago and I asked my girlfriend same question (she has been a long time Apple user), she told me to just get MS Office. I did from my university book store and it's been perfect for my note taking and essay writing.

[Cadium]

Use Office 2008 for Mac. There are a lot more features and compatibility with Windows platforms is also a must.

[BlueFiberOptics]

I have to say that I like Pages more than Microsoft Word on the Mac.

[CHALE]

I have iwork and office 08. Keynote is far better then power point, but pages I feel it kind of basic, same with numbers. And like Cadium said Office is worth it just because of the compatibility.

[NeoXY]

Every. Single. Penny.

I swear by keynote. It makes the most beautiful presentation if you can bother to learn it and work with it. Pages is now really very good to. Numbers needs work and will probably never replace excel. But at sub $100, its MUCH cheaper than MS Office 2008. Go for it.

[C_Guy]

The old saying remains true: You get what you pay for. If you only want a few features, consider iWork, if you want no features, consider Open Office. If you want an Office standard used in homes and business around the world, use Microsoft Office. Simple.

[MasterC]

Keynote by itself is worth the full price of iWork.

Agreed. You can make some pretty neat presentations in Keynote.

[Xtreme $niper]

I personally use Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, but only because I need that guaranteed full compatibility between PCs and Macs almost all the time.

Pages is fine for essays and personal docs since you won't be doing anything other than writing and printing it. Keynote is fine too, if you are the sole presenter and you can use your mac and hook it up to the projector when it's presentation time (to maintain the flash and gloss that just doesn't come after you've converted it).

But for compatibility, you basically don't have much of a choice. Office 2008.

[stereopixels]

<snip>

Totally agree. I love iWork but I stick with MS Office because I need the compatibility (especially for presentations) with everyone else.

[mattmatik]

I use iWork as Pages and Keynote are fantastic and get the job done for me.

Lately though, I've been wondering about Apple's dedication to the suite. I haven't had an update come across in a long time for any of the apps. I tried Office 2008 on a friend's Mac and while it's definitely improved over 2004, it still has a sluggish feeling to it. Apple is in the perfect position to really take over with iWork (on the Mac anyway), hopefully they take the opportunity.

[MrFuji]

Thank you all! That definitely helped me to make my decision :) Guess I'll go with iWork!