Pages or Word?

knitchick07 · knitchick07 #1 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 03:10 PM

I'm about to purchase a Macbook. I've been a pc user all my life, but with all the problems I've had due to viruses, and how irritating Vista is, I'm ready for a change. The only real concern I have about switching is having a decent word processor. I just started college and will need to start writing papers soon. I also use Word a lot for my own personal writing. I have done some research on both iWork and Office 2008 for Mac, and am leaning towards iWork based on reviews for both products and price. But, is Pages sufficient for writing long papers with formatting (MLA in particular, for anyone in college who knows what that is)? Or should I get Office for Word? And does Pages have a good spell checker (something I absolutely need)?

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #2 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 03:15 PM

word may well be easier for citing, but my wife still writes her papers in pages. Then again, when I was in college I used *gasp* a typewriter

and occasionally word perfect (when I was lucky enough)

louishen · louishen #3 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 03:17 PM

This has kinda been covered in this thread

iwork 08. should I buy it?

I would basically say give the free 30 day trial a go, if you like iWork after that then go with it

KeithTeeple · KeithTeeple #4 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 04:50 PM

If you're a college student then I would highly recommend iWork. For one, Pages has over 150 built in templates - almost everyone you can imagine. The only downside to iWork is that PC users can't read or open your files if emailed or transferred to their computer. So if you need to do cross conferencing with people who have PC's, you might want Office 08. But in the end, for creativity, I would highly recommend using iWork, it's also great for Numbers and Keynote.

louishen · louishen #5 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 04:57 PM

PCs cannot read or open your files?

That is bit misleading all iwork apps can save to Office formats to exchange files with PC users

knitchick07 · knitchick07 #6 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 06:38 PM

Thanks, I think I'll give iWork a try! I'm always battling with Word anyway. And Keynote sounds especially awesome.

DoneDeal · DoneDeal #7 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 08:31 PM

Pages has the best templates ever, no more suffering with Adobe to make a simple brochure for school. I have it and love it. Tested it with Office files and all opened fine.

Dysfunction #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,511 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	09-03-2008, 03:15 PM word may well be easier for citing, but my wife still writes her papers in pages. Then again, when I was in college I used gasp a typewriter and occasionally word perfect (when I was lucky enough) mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Using Applescript in Word and Pages	mwebster51	OS X - Operating System	0	08-21-2008 02:28 AM
MS Word 08 - Landscape pages	imme	Switcher Hangout	3	03-24-2008 01:54 PM
Word 2007 open Apple Pages documents?	ghsusaxa75	OS X - Apps and Games	2	02-27-2008 09:40 PM
Pages Vs Word - Default Application	minalll	OS X - Apps and Games	4	01-31-2008 07:50 AM
Word Counting in Pages	tobywuk	Switcher Hangout	1	11-22-2007 11:28 AM

Pages or Word?

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

knitchick07 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 03, 2008 Posts: 7	09-03-2008, 03:10 PM I'm about to purchase a Macbook. I've been a pc user all my life, but with all the problems I've had due to viruses, and how irritating Vista is, I'm ready for a change. The only real concern I have about switching is having a decent word processor. I just started college and will need to start writing papers soon. I also use Word a lot for my own personal writing. I have done some research on both iWork and Office 2008 for Mac, and am leaning towards iWork based on reviews for both products and price. But, is Pages sufficient for writing long papers with formatting (MLA in particular, for anyone in college who knows what that is)? Or should I get Office for Word? And does Pages have a good spell checker (something I absolutely need)?
	QUOTE Thanks

KeithTeeple #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 02, 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 450 Mac Specs: 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM MacBook, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo	09-03-2008, 04:50 PM If you're a college student then I would highly recommend iWork. For one, Pages has over 150 built in templates - almost everyone you can imagine. The only downside to iWork is that PC users can't read or open your files if emailed or transferred to their computer. So if you need to do cross conferencing with people who have PC's, you might want Office 08. But in the end, for creativity, I would highly recommend using iWork, it's also great for Numbers and Keynote.
	QUOTE Thanks

louishen #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,648 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	09-03-2008, 04:57 PM PCs cannot read or open your files? That is bit misleading all iwork apps can save to Office formats to exchange files with PC users
	QUOTE Thanks

knitchick07 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 03, 2008 Posts: 7	09-03-2008, 06:38 PM Thanks, I think I'll give iWork a try! I'm always battling with Word anyway. And Keynote sounds especially awesome.
	QUOTE Thanks

DoneDeal #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2007 Location: Darien, Connecticut Posts: 215 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro w/ Snow Leopard, iPhone 3GS	09-03-2008, 08:31 PM Pages has the best templates ever, no more suffering with Adobe to make a simple brochure for school. I have it and love it. Tested it with Office files and all opened fine.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)