Fox

Rosetta doesn't get switched off when you run Office 2008, but Rosetta won't need to be running when you use it. You won't notice any difference; you don't actually see Rosetta running. Ironically, I find that Office 2004 starts up faster and loads faster than Office 2008, even though it needs Rosetta to run.

Basically the upgrade just replaces 2004 with 2008; it doesn't literally upgrade the 2004 programs like a system updater or an MS Office patch does. If I recall correctly, the installer does give you the option to remove 2004 from your computer. One thing to consider before you do this, Excel 2008 actually loses some functions that 2004 has. (I think it is VBL plus the statistical toolpack.) You can always keep both on your drive and use whichever you want.

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mcoltezo

Thanks for this info. I can see the plus of keeping both. Can I just keep Excel or does all of it have to remain?

Another person earlier asked if I could go back to my educational institution. I can't do that but I'm going to see if the organization I'm now with might qualify.

If not, I'll just get this upgrade.

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fyrefly

The other good point made in this thread is that Office 2004 won't run on Lion or Mountain Lion. There's no Rosetta anymore in either of those, so the PPC-Office 2004 won't run. If you ever want to upgrade your computer to Lion or Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard, you need Office 2008 or 2011.

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mcoltezo

Hi Fyrefly,

That is a good thing to note. One thing, though, is a few folks were saying they aren't so happy with Lion. I've been fine with Snow Leopard but never checked what the differences are. But, it is good to know for future reference for any new OS that come along.

thanks,

going to buy it today!

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Systems:
MBP 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, OS Snow Leopard, FCS
G5 dual 2.0 Ghz, OS Tiger, FCS (contemplating the closet )
G4 dual 500 hz, OS Panther, FCE2 (sitting in closet )
(and IBM laptop...but don't tell) (dead screen )

Chimpur

You don't need to keep the whole Office 2004 suite of programs if you don't want to. I think you can uninstall them with the built in uninstaller. Its in an extras folder I think. Or possibly on the install media you'd have for Office 2004.Use spotlight to find it if you can't dig it up.

I think you'll like Office 2008 once you have it!

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mcoltezo

Thanks for the info re 2004 and the vote for 2008! I picked it up and am looking forward to the new features.

Thanks everyone! ...this is a great site!

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Systems:
MBP 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, OS Snow Leopard, FCS
G5 dual 2.0 Ghz, OS Tiger, FCS (contemplating the closet )
G4 dual 500 hz, OS Panther, FCE2 (sitting in closet )
(and IBM laptop...but don't tell) (dead screen )

mcoltezo

Chimpur, do you know of any good, free video tutorials? The interface is a little different but especially I'd like to see some of the new things it does, if possible.

Thanks!

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Systems:
MBP 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, OS Snow Leopard, FCS
G5 dual 2.0 Ghz, OS Tiger, FCS (contemplating the closet )
G4 dual 500 hz, OS Panther, FCE2 (sitting in closet )
(and IBM laptop...but don't tell) (dead screen )

krs

I'm not that impressed with Office 2011.
Over the years, I ended up with all three versions on my Mac, Office 2004, 2008 and 2011.
For the basic things I use Office, I still tend to favour Office 2004 although it makes sense to move to 2008 simply so that there is no impediment when upgrading to Lion and beyond.
I use 2011 only to open these new docx and xlsx files that people occasionally send.
I just don't like the user interface on 2011 and I also had compatibility problems between 2011 and older versions of Office.

For the OP, moving to Office 2008 I think is a smart step..

Rob

Office 2008 doesn't support VBA macros, whereas Office 2004 does. This is obviously critical if you need or use VBA macros in any of your files.

..... and hats off to Microsoft for still providing regular updates to Office 2004, unlike that shameless nameless fruit company.

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