> Lol, Nina. I have used both OS formats for over 15 years personally and
> professionally. I currently have a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop at home,
> and for school I have an eMAC and MacBook Pro. I use Office 2007 on my Dells
> and set the default to save as Word 2004 files. On my new Macbook Pro, I use
> Office 2008. I don't care which one I make my documents, media
> presentations, etc. on, and just throw them on the a jumpdrive to quickly
> transfer them where I need them next. All the files are closely compatible
> and ready-to-go.
>
> As far as the differences in the Operating Systems(mac vs. windows) - My
> Dells were MUCH cheaper in price, even with the generous discount Apple gives
> educators. There are things I can do on each machine that cannot be done on
> the other. Example... you can take a screen shot on a windows machine and
> have to crop it, while you can take a snap shot of exactly what you want with
> no editing with just a few key strokes on a mac. This is very handy for a
> teacher. My students love their iCameras and have a blast with them. The
> Macs are more user friendly for the newbie, yet I find the windows machines
> give me more flexibility. I have never had a problem with a virus, malicious
> code, etc. on any Mac, but have had complete crashes in my Mac lab at school.
> The complete reinstall is easy though, so not a huge issue. I have never
> had a Windows machine crash, but continually need to update antivirus
> software, defrag, etc. to keep them running decently. Lastly, I had problems
> getting the correct video format to embed in my powerpoint on the mac. After
> some research, I found a good site: mediaconverter.org, than converts and
> files type I have into another. For example, one live .wmv and another
> insists on .avi extensions. I just need to remember which machine I am using
> :)
>
> You say you are a heavy Word and Powerpoint user. I am also, and teach both
> of these applications in my classes. Mac's Office 2008 is very similar to
> Window's MS Office 2007. If you are currently using either, you will easily
> be able to use the other. If you are switching from an older version of
> Office, you will find that some of the things you may have been use to are no
> longer available. Check out this site to see the differences/changes:
>
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179054.aspx>
> I was used to Word 2004 on the Mac and Word 2003 on the Windows, so I am
> still trying to find the same functions in the newer versions. I often find
> that they are no longer available.... (scrolling text, and other similar
> things I used in my classroom).
>
> I really like the MAC Word version's formatting palette, but Office was
> originally made for the Windows operating system and continues to receive
> more support. However, I don't think there is a major difference in this in
> the past few years (it use to be huge). If I were you, I would look at the
> operating systems to see what best fits your needs and know that you will be
> able use Office just fine on either.
>
> Hope I was somewhat helpful and at least relieved some of your worries -
>
> Jan
>
> "Nina" wrote:
>
> > Jan14,
> >
> > I am in need of a new computer, and am trying to decide between Mac and
> > Windows (PC). I am a heavy Word and PowerPoint user. Considering you have
> > worked with both systems for years, would you mind sharing your experience
> > with us regarding which system works better with MS Office apps... at least
> > for you?
> >
> > Would greatly appreciate it.
> >
> > "Jan14" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > "John" wrote:
> > >
> > > > A friend has a mac with MS office products written for mac on it. She sent me
> > > > a file to proof for her and the formatting was a total disaster. First
> > > > question is why is there a difference in formatting characters. Second
> > > > question is of course...how do you fix it???
> > >
> > > I am a computer apps teacher who uses macs at school and windows at home. I
> > > find very little difference in the formatting... perhaps an occasional font
> > > style change in word and powerpoint. The rest is very compatible and very
> > > similar - I have sent documents and files between the operating systems for
> > > years and every version of ms office works relatively similar. i suggest
> > > she save it in a "true font".. i.e. Times New Roman.. and save it with a .doc
> > > extension. there should be no problem editing it for her.