Office 2010 Starter Edition Reviewed
July 10, 2010 by David Glick
Filed under Fix My Computer
I helped a customer set up her new Dell computer today while on a service call for computer repair in Phoenix. Since she wanted Microsoft Excel, I also helped her install the new Microsoft Office 2010. She only needed the basic functionality of Word and Excel so the Starter edition was perfect for her, and considering this version is now free from all major OEM manufacturers, it worked out perfectly. To install this version, the computer needs to be on the Internet. A shortcut in the All Programs menu starts the installation.
The installation was fast and the setup program is pretty self-explanatory. You choose which edition you want and it installs what you chose. Any edition above the Starter would need to be paid for prior to the installation. The Starter version comes with Word and Excel, but both of those have less features than their paid counterparts – more on that in a moment. Installation took less than 15 minutes on a 1.5 megabit connection. I decided to try Excel first.
This version of Excel was quite feature-rich, surprisingly. I was quite pleased with it as I could do almost anything that I would normally do in Excel. The primary features unavailable in this version are the macros, VBA, and other more advanced formatting that the average person normally might not use. I was able to use my regular formulas and format my spreadsheet the way I wanted.
Word, even though it does basic word processing and has many of the everyday features available, does not do justice for students. The headers and footers, as well as macros and VBA, are nowhere to be found. Anyone using Word for more than casual or light use (especially students) will probably want to purchase the Home and Student Edition for these reasons, if nothing else.
Overall I was happy with this version of Office considering it is free. Keeping in mind that it replaces the old MS Works Suite, it doesn’t quite do everything that the Works Suite did. Another disadvantage to this version is that it is ad supported – a portion of the screen is dedicated to rotating ads. I would like to note that there is another option to MS Office that is absolutely free: check out Open Office at www.openoffice.org for a free word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. They aren’t 100% Office compatible but they are close.
If you have found this to be helpful, please say so! Also, if you need computer repair in Phoenix or the Verde Valley area of Arizona, please go to my website at http://www.mobiletechcomputerrepair.com – I really enjoy helping people with their computers. Feel free to give me a call if you need some help!
About the author: David Glick, ASIT, is CompTIA A+ and Network+ certified and has been repairing computers professionally for over 12 years. Check out the Mobile Tech Computer Repair for reliable and affordable Phoenix Computer Repair.
categories: phoenix computer repair,computer repair in Phoenix,computer repair,computer problems,fix computer,repair computer,computers,computing
Tags: macros vba, Fix My Computer, starter edition, ms office, megabit connection, average person
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