Running OFFICE 2007 for the PC under Parallels

[robor]

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I have decided to install Parallels so I can run the WINDOWS version of Office to avoid the compromises made in OFFICE 2008.

I have a new MacBook Pro 15" with 4 GB of memory. Is that enough? Can I increase the memory to 8 GB?

 

[CyberTaz]

IMO, 4GB probably is sufficient, but there's no question that when it comes
to RAM more is better if your model of Mac will support it. That's true
regardless of whether you're running any VMs or not. Other variables include
which & how many other processes you expect to run concurrently as well as
how you use them. As long as you don't have high demands I'd suggest staying
with the 4GB for now & increasing it later if performance isn't acceptable
based on your usage patterns.

You'll also need a licensed copy of the Windows OS - Preferably Windows 7,
Windows XP as a second (less expensive) choice. Avoid any flavor of Vista
unless you have no other alternative.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

IMO, 4GB probably is sufficient, but there's no question that when it comes
to RAM more is better if your model of Mac will support it. That's true
regardless of whether you're running any VMs or not. Other variables include
which & how many other processes you expect to run concurrently as well as
how you use them. As long as you don't have high demands I'd suggest staying
with the 4GB for now & increasing it later if performance isn't acceptable
based on your usage patterns.

You'll also need a licensed copy of the Windows OS - Preferably Windows 7,
Windows XP as a second (less expensive) choice. Avoid any flavor of Vista
unless you have no other alternative.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

Does Parallels support Windows 7? I don't think that has been announced yet,
and I don't believe Windows 7 is available commercially yet.

 

[CyberTaz]

I believe the release date is 22 Oct, but pre-orders are being accepted now.

I'm not certain re its support in Parallels as I use Fusion, but have seen
reference to others using it with no problem - apparently Beta or other
sources of Win 7. Should have qualified that in the reply

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[herojig]

I would avoid Windows 7 in PD right now, but u can read about the problems there...I have Office 2007 running perfectly on the latest level of Leopard, Latest level of PD, and Latest level of Vista Deluxe or whatever they call it. I also have a machine that run just like that, but with the latest level of XP on it, instead of Vista. Both run Office 2007 flawlessly, and I use every week in teaching situations. 4MB is fine with a MBP, what is more important is processor speed I think, but as you have already bought, don't worry, it will work.

Not sure what the compromises are with Office 2008 however I much prefer it over Office 2007, but I don't really have a choice, I have to teach 2007, so what to do? ha!

 

[monergist]

I have decided to install Parallels so I can run the WINDOWS version of Office to avoid the compromises made in OFFICE 2008.

Can you briefly outline what you deem to be compromises in Office 2008, or at least point me to where I can read about them elsewhere? I'm going to be transitioning to Mac soon, and this knowledge would be very helpful to me as I consider word processing options.

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[Rob Schneider]

I've been using Word since the DOS days, and most Windows versions since
then. On a lark, bought the Mac version of Office even though I have
Office 2003 and 2007 running very successfully on VMware (on top of XP).
I now find I prefer Word 2008 for the sort of writing that I do.

The unexpected negative is that there are no macros in Word 2008. I
hear they come back in the next version, but don't know. I like generate
the occasional macro when I have some mindless repeating task. I
initially was intrigued by the Notebook View, but soon discovered it's
"not ready for prime time" and i just ignore it.

The unexpected positive is that it is a simpler user interface which
reminds me of Word from the 1990's (I still think Word 2.0c was the
greatest version ever).

I use 2008 for most of what I do (including writing now a document for a
client whose teams need to know "How to Write With Word" for 2003).

I've set up my Word (2003, 2007, and 2008) versions so that they all
share the same templates, files, etc. I suppose that not everything is
completely transparent as there are multiple file formats (DOC and DOCX
and all that), but for me I deal with it.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

I've been using Word since the DOS days, and most Windows versions since
then. On a lark, bought the Mac version of Office even though I have
Office 2003 and 2007 running very successfully on VMware (on top of XP).
I now find I prefer Word 2008 for the sort of writing that I do.

The unexpected negative is that there are no macros in Word 2008. I
hear they come back in the next version, but don't know. I like generate
the occasional macro when I have some mindless repeating task. I
initially was intrigued by the Notebook View, but soon discovered it's
"not ready for prime time" and i just ignore it.

The unexpected positive is that it is a simpler user interface which
reminds me of Word from the 1990's (I still think Word 2.0c was the
greatest version ever).

I use 2008 for most of what I do (including writing now a document for a
client whose teams need to know "How to Write With Word" for 2003).

I've set up my Word (2003, 2007, and 2008) versions so that they all
share the same templates, files, etc. I suppose that not everything is
completely transparent as there are multiple file formats (DOC and DOCX
and all that), but for me I deal with it.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

Hi Rob,

The lack of Visual Basic was indeed a show stopper for a lot of people -
far more than Microsoft expected. Fortunately, in the next version, VBA
will return.

When the next version comes out, I wonder if you'll like Word better
than 2.0c

-Jim