I am seeing the extra storage in Microsoft. Do I even need any Microsoft I’m paying for.
I think it’s of no use to me. Although I do have a so-called business, selling vintage everything. So would I need it for that, using excel spreadsheet, or for any reason. I do have a chrome book, I haven’t even used yet, I’ve had it for about 5 years. I am almost 60 and I am not tech savvy!
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Based on the post, this is not an easy question to answer since you do not detail your workflow, tool requirements, or communication requirements with partners, customers, suppliers, etc.
Microsoft 365 is a suite of products that includes Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet), PowerPoint (presentation), Outlook (mail client), Teams (video, audio, text chatting), OneNote (notes), OneDrive (personal cloud storage), and much much more depending on your license level.
To keep this as simple as possible, I will assume you have a subscription to Microsoft 365 as you state "extra storage" which is likely OneDrive and that you are actively paying for it.
Regarding the tools provided by Microsoft, you have alternatives that come with every Mac and iOS device. They include Pages (word processor), Numbers (spreadsheet), Keynote (presentation), Mail (mail client), Messages and FaceTime (video, audio, text chatting but not considered "enterprise"), Notes (notes), iCloud Drive (personal cloud storage). These tools are effectively free (iCloud Storage can be a cost if you need more than what a free iCloud account provides). The core apps (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) can export to Microsoft formats. This will allow you to share (compatible) documents with partners, clients, venders, etc.
Based on this, and assuming you are a sole proprietor, then you are not worried about the collaborative or enterprise features of Microsoft (unless you need those formats to collaborate with clients, partners, etc.). However, if you have used Microsoft tools your whole life and feel comfortable with them, then the price paid to keep using them may be better than the cost of learning new tools. After all, time is a cost. And time lost to retraining is time not remunerated.
Regarding the Chrome Book, note that that is effectively the Chrome browser as an operating system. You cannot install Office on a Chrome Book. However, you can use the web version of the Microsoft tools via the browser. (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be run in a browser as can Pages, Numbers, and Keynote).
Bottom line... if you don't have a business need for Office, can use free or nearly free alternatives for when the need arises (write a letter, open a spreadsheet, etc.), can continue your exiting workflow without pause, then you likely don't need the subscription.
However, if you have used Office for years, have lots of documents created in the Microsoft tools, know the tools well enough to feel competent, and need them to promote the workflow of your business, then keep paying for the subscription.
Hope this is helpful.
Based on the post, this is not an easy question to answer since you do not detail your workflow, tool requirements, or communication requirements with partners, customers, suppliers, etc.
Microsoft 365 is a suite of products that includes Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet), PowerPoint (presentation), Outlook (mail client), Teams (video, audio, text chatting), OneNote (notes), OneDrive (personal cloud storage), and much much more depending on your license level.
To keep this as simple as possible, I will assume you have a subscription to Microsoft 365 as you state "extra storage" which is likely OneDrive and that you are actively paying for it.
Regarding the tools provided by Microsoft, you have alternatives that come with every Mac and iOS device. They include Pages (word processor), Numbers (spreadsheet), Keynote (presentation), Mail (mail client), Messages and FaceTime (video, audio, text chatting but not considered "enterprise"), Notes (notes), iCloud Drive (personal cloud storage). These tools are effectively free (iCloud Storage can be a cost if you need more than what a free iCloud account provides). The core apps (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) can export to Microsoft formats. This will allow you to share (compatible) documents with partners, clients, venders, etc.
Based on this, and assuming you are a sole proprietor, then you are not worried about the collaborative or enterprise features of Microsoft (unless you need those formats to collaborate with clients, partners, etc.). However, if you have used Microsoft tools your whole life and feel comfortable with them, then the price paid to keep using them may be better than the cost of learning new tools. After all, time is a cost. And time lost to retraining is time not remunerated.
Regarding the Chrome Book, note that that is effectively the Chrome browser as an operating system. You cannot install Office on a Chrome Book. However, you can use the web version of the Microsoft tools via the browser. (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be run in a browser as can Pages, Numbers, and Keynote).
Bottom line... if you don't have a business need for Office, can use free or nearly free alternatives for when the need arises (write a letter, open a spreadsheet, etc.), can continue your exiting workflow without pause, then you likely don't need the subscription.
However, if you have used Office for years, have lots of documents created in the Microsoft tools, know the tools well enough to feel competent, and need them to promote the workflow of your business, then keep paying for the subscription.
Hope this is helpful.
Do I NEED Microsoft 365• when I don’t own a PC?
