New Computer for Windows 10

[davem]

Very fair assessment. They tout the continuous updates of the subscription version, but I view constant updates as a negative. At work we've been burned numerous times with bad updates that break programs.

If you try LibreOffice, you can set it to use Excel .xlsx and Word .docx as the default file save type instead of the native (to Libre) .oxx extension. It will likely tell you there are disadvantages to this, but I'd try it because it will likely make your life easier with exchanging with others.

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

I don't know how much of that office stuff you use but I find the less word docs and spread sheets I use the better my life is.

That being said, when I need to use something like that I've been using Google's version which is free, as far as I know.

Their user interface isn't great and the help is nonexistent but it's free and will convert any microsoft stuff over to it's format. Plus, it works on my android phone and my emails are all google too.

Google docs, google sheets, and I forget what the other names are. That might be a decent option for someone that is an occasional user.

[cx]

The only Office programs I use at all, Jim, are Excel and Word and I really wish I could get just those and nothing else. Don't know if I qualify as a heavy user, but I'd not wanna be without either.

I'm thinking the Google version is what my friend might have been using and having a lot of compatibility issues with, but I can't swear to that. I've used Google's spreadsheet thingees only a little and I do recall I didn't really like them at all. Think I'll be happiest with the Excel and Word to which I'm accustomed, just don't wanna rent them from Bill Gates if I can help it.

Likely I'll first have a look at the OpenOffice Dave's recommending and see if that's close enough. If not, I'll look at purchasing the originals from one of the third-party sources.

I do appreciate the input.

[smifwal]

I am not sure I am getting the best deal but I use Microsoft 365. It costs $69.99/year

[cx]

Never seen that price anywhere, Shawn, but it's still a rental and it's still cloud-based, yes? Part of the problem I have with that is that I still work at least two months out of the year in remote areas where Internet access varies during the day from poor to non-existent. I need my data on my machine all the time.

[davem]

365 is the 'best' of both worlds. You get the desktop app and also access to cloud services, which you likely are not interested in. So you get to keep paying for the desktop app every year

[smifwal]

I guess I didn't know any better when I bought. I just hopped online and found the cheapest one. I feel like I am getting the most updated version every year vs buying one until it is outdated and having a document come through and then it won't open it and then having to buy another the updated one

[ss3964spd]

I could have sworn that I read, very recently, that MS will now allow one to purchase O365 out right, instead of subscribing.

Regardless of what you choose I would not down load anything from a 3rd party site.

[davem]

Sounds like it's working out great for you Shawn, that's all that matters

[davem]

Right Dan, MS 365 is subscription only. Office 2019 is the older model of purchase once and use until you decide to upgrade or change hardware.

I wouldn't download the installer from anywhere but Microsoft, but the license from a 3rd party can be perfectly legit.

[cx]

Well, I'm sure y'all will be thrilled to know that I've already got my new Dell laptop online and functional (I think) and still with a full two days remaining on my one-year warranty!

Dell keeps reminding me that I can have another year for only $200, about 1/6th the cost of the machine. Presuming that Dell's technical service is about the same as it was ten years ago, I think I'll pass and just take my chances.

For Office software I ended up using the MS 365 subscription on accounta I have a friend who subscribes and uses only 3 of his 5 available downloads, so the cost is zero, which is at least a nice price. Whether it's worth that remains to be seen on my end, but at least I'm up and running.

I need to go back through this thread and see what the recommendations for anti-virus and other such protections were. Then all I hafta do is learn to use the damn thing, a much more difficult prospect than youins geeks would understand.

And I do want to thank you all again for your help in upgrading from my old machine and Windows 7, both of which I was quite happy with, but......

[davem]

363 days with Windows 10 and still with us. Not bad!

[cx]

No, Dave, I've owned the machine that long, I've actually used it for about three days, now. Still in the phase where I think it's a PITA, but I'm adjusting.

[davem]

Ah so. Good idea to fire it up now!

[smifwal]

My biggest complaint is the message on the lock screen trying to convert me to microsoft edge and all the nonsense when I open the start menu it is just irritating