microsoft word.

[hg]

I'm just getting round to buying microsoft word for my laptop which is about 4 1/2 years old. My question is, will I be wasting my money if I buy word for 1 pc given the age of my laptop or should I pay the extra and buy word for 3 pc's? I don't intend to have any other pc's and will only get something new when my laptop is on it's last leg. I know microsoft may update in the future but, I am not worried about that. Any thoughts on this please!

many thanks

Helen

[Bob C]

...will I be wasting my money if I buy word for 1 pc given the age of my laptop or should I pay the extra and buy word for 3 pc's...

I would buy only one copy. If you get a new PC in the future you can use the CD/DVD and the registration key to install on the new computer. I have done this with MS Office 2000 and am now on my third PC w/o problems.

Just make sure that the version of Word will run on your laptop before purchasing. New versions have different hardware requirements than older versions i.e. memory, processors and hard drive space available.

Bob C.

[Russell]

I had the same dilemma with my old PC but opted instead to use Open Office which is free and has many of the functions of the M.S. Office suite. It is fully compatible with other programmes a you can save a file under a variety of configurations. It also uses much less memory. When I bought my laptop I simply downloaded the latest version from the Internet. So far I have had no compatibility problems with any of the other software I use.
Am I just a mean Scotsman Why pay for a fancy program when you can have something just as good but for free

Russell

[jgmills]

I would also check out the licensing - you can buy a single user license, but Microsoft often allow installation on a Primary PC (desktop PC) and a mobile PC (Laptop), then again both PCs could be laptops or desktops, the idea being if you are using one PC you won't be using both at the same time. But if you have three or four users in the house, this won't work.

Cheers
John

[trish1]

...will I be wasting my money if I buy word for 1 pc given the age of my laptop or should I pay the extra and buy word for 3 pc's...

I would buy only one copy. If you get a new PC in the future you can use the CD/DVD and the registration key to install on the new computer. I have done this with MS Office 2000 and am now on my third PC w/o problems.

Just make sure that the version of Word will run on your laptop before purchasing. New versions have different hardware requirements than older versions i.e. memory, processors and hard drive space available.

Bob C.

Hi Bob

I think word 2000 was close to the last version that could be loaded onto multiple PCs in this fashion. 2007/2010 being the ones currently used in our home network have the 1 or 3 computer option. It may be possible to reload the single install version on another computer but I think you have to call microsoft and weep about your computer imploding. I would be happy to learn if this is incorrect.

I think the introduction of the 3 install option has also overtaken the desktop/laptop option that existed with earlier versions.

Hi Helen

If my memory is correct the home version of office for 3 users covers word/excel and powerpoint (I think this is the third program). I mainly use word and excel . The price (at least in my part of the world) for the 3 users is not a large increase on a single user version so I think the 3 is worthwhile. If your computer is currently 4.5 years old it will probably need replacing in the not too distant future. Perhaps it is me but I seem to replace my computer every 3/4 years. For reasons I can never fully understand (but I think is often related to automatic updates, the size of operating systems and the overreach of virus software) my machines tend to get slower and slower as time passes.

Trish

[WilmaM]

I had the same dilemma with my old PC but opted instead to use Open Office which is free and has many of the functions of the M.S. Office suite. It is fully compatible with other programmes a you can save a file under a variety of configurations. ...
... Why pay for a fancy program when you can have something just as good but for free

Russell

My husband would agree with you Russell.

I was the last MS W user in this house, until last month, Open Office is now on my this new PC now and so far all my imported files etc open fine.

Helen if you think you will be changing systems in teh not too distant future OO may be a more cost effecive route.

[Currie]

I agree with Russell and Wilma.

Most Microsoft products are grossly overpriced. 99% of the things that most people use Microsoft Office for can be done equally well using Open Office or Libre Office or maybe even Google Docs.

Maybe one day Windows will be as good as Linux. Linux is free, never slows down, never needs defragging, or restarting after installation of software, and doesn’t suffer from viruses and the like.

Alan

[Bob C]

...will I be wasting my money if I buy word for 1 pc given the age of my laptop or should I pay the extra and buy word for 3 pc's...

I would buy only one copy. If you get a new PC in the future you can use the CD/DVD and the registration key to install on the new computer. I have done this with MS Office 2000 and am now on my third PC w/o problems.



Hi Bob

I think word 2000 was close to the last version that could be loaded onto multiple PCs in this fashion.

Trish

I was referring to replacing her laptop when needed, that the copy on her laptop could be transferred to her new PC. I agree that if you have multiple PCs in the house that multiple copies are needed.

I also am playing around with Libre Office the open source successor to Open Office now owned by Oracle. The only issue I have found is that it doesn't play nice with RTF files. Microsoft owns the specifications for RTF files and doesn't tell people how to make their software compatible.

Just my two pennies worth!

Bob

[hg]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts on this. Now I am even more confused -
Not to sure about open office! Although I like the idea of something for free I am not sure I will get the support I would get with microsoft if something goes wrong - and there were many links for this when I googled it, I wouldn't know which one to choose. Sorry if I appear dumb about all of this.
I may stick with buying microsoft word. I have spoken to another couple of people who seem to agree with Bob. Tried to find a tel num for microsoft - why is this so difficult?

all the best

Helen