Need to add MS Office to my 2007 MacBook - what version?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Need to add MS Office to my 2007 MacBook - what version?

I just got a previously-loved MacBook from a friend. It's been factory reset and all I need to do is add software. I have access to a new version of MS Office (2011) for a good price, but I'm not sure I should even load this on my Mac. I've done all the software updates and the Mac is now at OS X 10.5.8. Should I bother with adding this newest version of Office? Or should I try and find an older version which will be less taxing on the system? All I need for this Mac is word processing at this point. I'm a student and I got this computer strictly for carrying back and forth to school for writing papers.

Any advice is appreciated!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 17, 2013 5:58 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jan 17, 2013 11:12 AM in response to ksgober

Hello,

Office for Mac 2011 system requirements

The following table lists the minimum hardware and software requirements for installing Microsoft Office for Mac 2011.

Component	Minimum requirement
Processor	Intel only
Operating system	Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later
Memory	1 GB of RAM or more
Hard disk	2.5 GB of available hard disk space HFS +, also known as Mac OS Extended format
External disk drive	DVD drive (or connection to a local area network if you are installing over a network)
Monitor	1280 x 800 pixel or higher resolution
Input device	Mouse or compatible input device
Microsoft Exchange Server	Connectivity to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 with Update Rollup 4 (KB952580) or later
Additional Requirements	Certain online functionality requires a Windows Live ID. Access to files stored on a SharePoint server requires connectivity to Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 or later. Safari 5 or later (recommended).

http://mac2.microsoft.com/help/office/14/en-us/admin/item/a13786c1-f9e5-4625-b8a 3-caa8edc31276

Might look into NeoOffice...

http://www.neooffice.org/

Or Open Office...

http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/download/index.html

Reply

Answer 2

ksgober Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2013 8:20 PM in response to BDAqua

Very helpful, thank you! Looks like I have all the requirements and plenty of hard drive space for it. Now, I'm considering upgrading to Snow Leopard for the App Store and iCould (computer is capable of upgrading to that point.) Any reason I shouldn't upgrade?

I won't be doing much more than this, I want to keep it light.

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jan 17, 2013 9:48 PM in response to ksgober

10.6.8 should be OK, I'd fight tooth & nail to go beyond 10.6.8 though... unless you're stuck with iDevices...

First you need to research all the problems people are having with the higher OSX versions, & make sure you have a bootable clone of what you have just in case.

then you must get 10.6 if they still have it, install it & update to 10.6.8 so you have the App Store to buy & download the huge 10.8 Installer.

Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...

General requirements

* Mac computer with an Intel processor

* 1GB of memory (I say 4GB at least, more if you can afford it)

* 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)

* DVD drive for installation

* Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

* Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and terms apply.

Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...

http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/

It's been pulled from the online store & Apple Stores, so you have to call Apple to buy it, last I heard.

Buy Snow Leopard > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Call Apple Sales...in the US: 1-800-MY-APPLE. Or Support... 1-800-275-2273

Other countries...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

Reply

Answer 4

ksgober Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2013 11:14 AM in response to BDAqua

Okay at this point, based on my current specs, my computer will not upgrade any further than 10.6.8. I have 1GB of RAM which excludes the possibility of upgrading to Lion, and Mountain Lion. (there is plenty of hard drive space however.) So now I just need to read reviews on Snow Leopard to see if it will be worth it to upgrade the OS to that point. I have downloaded the trial version of Microsoft Office 2011 which is running very smoothly by the way. No worries there...

Thanks for your help!

Reply