Microsoft Office Suite is a set of applications we have all grown to love and depend on. We use Microsoft Word to type out essays, Microsoft Excel to keep records, Microsoft PowerPoint for colorful presentations, Microsoft Outlook for emails, and much more of their suite. These apps are just the tip of the iceberg. Microsoft Office is a productivity tool for just about anyone. But, come to think of it, do laptops come with Microsoft Office?
Laptops do not come with Microsoft Office. However, some laptops do come with Microsoft 365 preinstalled.
Did you know there’s a difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365? Well, there is. One difference is, one offers a one-time payment option, while the other works on regular subscriptions.
Do Laptops Come With Microsoft Office?
For starters, MacBooks do not come with Microsoft Office or 365. Now that that’s out of the way, you should also know that Windows laptops do not come with Microsoft Office either. There are a few exceptions that do come with Microsoft 365.
Even though Windows, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft 365 are all products of Microsoft, they usually don’t come collectively in a brand new laptop. Why is this? No one knows. But, with all the benefits of the software, who cares.
Some new laptops come with a trial version of Office 365 where this trial usually lasts for one month. There are also some laptops that come with a one-year subscription to Office 365.
You might have been using Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 interchangeably, but now it’s time to learn that they aren’t the same and also learn about what makes them differ.
What Is Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office is a desktop office suite created by Microsoft. It is available on both Windows and macOS. This suite consists of several applications that you purchase and install on your computer at once. Some of these applications are well-known, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
After this purchase and installation, you do not have to worry about making future payments, except a new edition (not update) comes out. Even then, your previous purchase is still valid forever; it is up to you to make another purchase and receive a newer version of the Microsoft Office Suite you already own.
For example, in the case where you’ve already purchased the Microsoft Office 2016 and see that the Microsoft Office 2019 is available. You are not obligated to pay for the Microsoft Office 2019, but if you do, you would own both versions for life. This rule applies even to future versions of Microsoft Office released.
Microsoft Office comes in different bundle types. Each bundle contains specific apps that are suitable for the specific needs of the individual.
There are currently four versions of Microsoft Office; they are Office 2013, Office 2016, Officer 2019, and the latest Office 2021
What is Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service also provided by Microsoft to help individuals and businesses alike. On Microsoft 365, you’ll receive all the benefits of Microsoft Office coupled with extra features. Some of these features are OneDrive (cloud storage) and Skype.
Microsoft 365 is a paid service, meaning you’ll have to make monthly or yearly payments to gain access to use the suite of apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, amongst others on all your devices (desktops, phones, laptops, and tablets). This service is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Microsoft will also provide you with all the latest tools and features of the software as they are released. This service is perfect for various purposes, from small businesses to large companies; there are even packages made for individual or personal use.
With whatever plan you opt for, you will gain access to the additional services. One of which is the Microsoft Family Safety experience. Using this service, you’ll be able to share locations, manage screen time, and a lot more.
You also get features that improve your productivity using AI assistance. For example, Resume Assistant, a tool to help you create the best possible resume on Word using insights from Microsoft LinkedIn.
Difference Between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365
The main difference between Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 is that the former is a standard software usually installed and accessed on your computer, while the latter is a cloud-based subscription that encompasses all that Microsoft Office has to offer and more.
Microsoft Office and 365 are two different products of Microsoft. They have similar features, but ultimately, they differ in several ways. Here are some of their distinguishing features.
Payment Plan
The first and most glaring difference is their payment options. Microsoft Office is a one-time payment software that you pay for and get for the rest of your life. In the case of Microsoft 365, you have to pay monthly or yearly to keep the service running.
The prices of both software vary and change depending on the season and the offers that are available at the time. However, seeing as Microsoft Office is purchased once, the price is always steeper than Microsoft 365.
Availability
The majority of functions performed on Microsoft Office are usable offline, but this is not the case for Microsoft 365. On Microsoft 365, you must have access to the internet to utilize the service it provides, including Word, Excel, and others.
You can only install Microsoft Office on one computer, but with various Microsoft 365 plans, you can install the software on many devices and access them no matter where you are. For example, you can opt for Microsoft 365 Family. On this plan, you will be able to share the account with up to five extra users making a total of up to six users within the plan.
Updates
Once you purchase and install Microsoft Office, there are no updates or extra features. The best you’ll get are security updates and bug fixes. To get new features, you’ll have to upgrade to the next version of Microsoft Office.
Microsoft 365, on the other hand, provides you with the latest updates and features as soon as Microsoft releases them.
Extra online storage
On Microsoft Office, you do not receive extra online storage space. But, on Microsoft 365, you receive additional space on the OneDrive cloud storage for up to 300 users depending on the plan you subscribe for. Within this cloud storage, you can securely store your files and data and access them from anywhere and any device.
Technical support
When you purchase Microsoft Office, you receive initial technical support for installation, but there is no more support after that. With Microsoft 365, as long as you have paid for the service, you will receive support for technical and subscription issues at no extra cost.
What to Do When There Is No Microsoft Office on Your Laptop
Suppose you purchased your computer and realized that it didn’t come with Microsoft Office, or maybe you have reached the end of your Microsoft 365 trial period. In this case, you can find other alternatives like Open Office or WPS Office.
Fortunately, Microsoft Office offers a free web version of Office that you can use on a browser on any device. All you have to do is sign up for a Microsoft account, or if you have one, simply sign in. On the web version of Microsoft Office, you’ll be able to open and create Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents. You’ll also be able to access OneNote.
For those using a MacBook, your device comes with a program called “Pages.” You can use this software to edit word documents and so much more.