Macbook users all know the pinch they felt from having to buy that pricey Microsoft Office suite. But as Microsoft works to release its Office 2016, they are offering you a peek — free of charge. This is the first time Microsoft Office suite has had a new release since 2011. To get the Preview, all you have to do is go to the website right now. The preview version of this suite will come fully packed with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook to every desktop OS user.
- What's The Deal With Microsoft's 64-bit Office For Mac Free
- What The Deal With Microsoft 64 Bit Office For Mac
Sure, it doesn’t have the final version, and there’re sure to be some updates, but this is the chance to get your paws on Microsoft Office for free while you still can. You will need Snow Leopard or higher to run the suite, but with the, that shouldn’t remain a problem for long. The biggest update from this most recent version of Office is all in the design. Microsoft Office for Mac has had a problem of looking too dated when it comes to the Mac version, while its preferred Windows partner has that squeaky-clean, new feeling. Some people have stated that this latest version is now on par, or perhaps similar, to the Office 365 for Windows, with new flat design icons that were introduced in OS X Yosemite. The Outlook included in the bundle is already available as a stand-alone app, while OneNote is not included in the bundle and will continue to operate as a separate download (for free).
Today at its Ignite conference, Microsoft announced that moving forward, 64-bit versions of Office will be the default options, after years of the 32-bit option showing as recommended.
Even if it’s not the full version, it’s very well worth the look-see, because it’s definitely time to chuck that Microsoft Office 2011 as far as you can.
What's The Deal With Microsoft's 64-bit Office For Mac Free
Microsoft’s Office for Mac 2011 is scheduled for release this fall, but it won’t include 64-bit support. The reasoning behind sticking with 32-bit support, according to the company, is because they’re still working on transitioning to Cocoa for Mac OS X. “In Office 2011, we’ve made investments in better compatibility between Office for Mac and Windows Office, which is the largest request we receive from customers,” MacBU product unit manger Jake Hoelter. “Our work to increase compatibility means we haven’t completed the transition of moving the entire user interface over to Cocoa yet. And because Apple’s frameworks require us to complete the move to Cocoa before we can build a 64-bit version, Office 2011 will be 32-bit only.” Microsoft expects this won’t be a major issue for most of its Mac customers because one of the benefits of writing 64-bit applications is the ability to work with extremely large files — something Microsoft thinks the majority of Office users don’t do. “Most users with typical or even larger-than-average document content will not notice a difference in performance. Where 64-bit can make a difference is for people working with huge amounts of data, such as those creating very large Excel files with data in millions of cells, or PowerPoint presentations with thousands of high resolution images,” Mr.
What The Deal With Microsoft 64 Bit Office For Mac
Hoelter said. Microsoft isn’t saying when it plans to transition to 64-bit support for Office for the Mac. Since its MacBU division is already working on moving to Apple’s more modern developer tools, hopefully the next major upgrade after Office 2011 will finally include 64-bit support.