Microsoft Office is the familiar name for Microsoft’s productivity apps and suites, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Which apps and services you get depends on the specific product, plan, and device: Microsoft 365 is subscription-based, while Office 2024 is sold as a one-time purchase.
What is Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office refers to Microsoft applications used for common work such as writing documents, working with spreadsheets, preparing presentations, and organizing notes. The name is still widely used, but Microsoft distinguishes its current subscription service, Microsoft 365, from one-time-purchase Office editions such as Office 2024. These are not identical packages, and neither name guarantees that every Microsoft app is included.
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Microsoft Support describes Office 2024 as providing “the essential tools you need to capture, analyze, and organize your ideas” in its Office 2024 and Office LTSC 2024 FAQ.
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What do the Office apps do?
These are the suite’s most familiar applications. Their availability depends on the edition, plan, operating system, and customer type.
#1 Best Overall
- Compact design saves desktop space and allows for close, comfortable mouse position.
- Optimized key spacing and key travel for fast, fluid typing.
- Sleek, low-profile design complements any workspace.
- Expressive input key[2] for quick access to emojis, symbols, and more.
- Connect up to 3 devices and switch seamlessly between them[1].
- Word: Create and edit documents.
- Excel: Organize information in spreadsheets and analyze data.
- PowerPoint: Create slide presentations.
- OneNote: Collect and organize notes.
- Outlook: Manage email, calendars, tasks, and contacts when included.
- Access: Work with databases in selected Windows/PC editions and plans; it is not included with every Office product.
How can you get Microsoft Office apps?
Microsoft 365 subscription
Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that provides current versions of apps. Depending on the exact plan and geography, benefits may include installed desktop apps, use across multiple devices, cloud storage, support, and other services. Microsoft also offers plans for businesses, schools, enterprises, and nonprofits, whose benefits can differ from consumer plans. Check the specific plan’s app list and terms on Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 page.
Office 2024 one-time purchase
Office Home 2024 is a one-time purchase of classic desktop Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for one PC or Mac. Office Home & Business 2024 adds Outlook. These editions do not include all Microsoft 365 services, and buying one does not entitle you to the next major release. Microsoft’s current support terms apply to security updates and support. See Microsoft’s Office 2024 product listing and Office 2024 FAQ for the edition details.
Rank #2
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
Office LTSC
Office LTSC 2024 is Microsoft’s current on-premises Office release for commercial and government customers, not its default consumer edition. It is a one-time release whose feature set is a subset of Microsoft 365 Apps; it does not receive the ongoing feature cadence and services of a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft explains the distinction in its Office LTSC and Office 2024 FAQ.
Free web apps
People with a Microsoft account can use browser versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps through Microsoft 365 for the web. These free web apps are different from paid plans that may include installed desktop apps, extra storage, or other services. See Microsoft 365 for the web.
Rank #3
- Efficient Media Controls: The Wired Keyboard 600, designed by Microsoft, features a Media Center with four hot keys for easy control of play/pause, volume up, volume down, and mute functions.
- Quiet and Responsive Keys: Enjoy a comfortable typing experience with quiet, thin-profile keys that are both responsive and efficient.
- Convenient Shortcuts: Quickly access common tasks with dedicated shortcut keys, including a calculator hot key and a Windows start screen key.
- Spill-Resistant Design: Work confidently with a spill-resistant design that protects your keyboard from accidental messes.
- Plug-and-Play Simplicity: No software needed—just connect the keyboard to your PC and start using it right away, with a full number pad for efficient data entry.
Microsoft 365 or Office 2024: what should you consider?
There is no universally better choice. Compare the exact edition or plan against how you work:
- Desktop or browser: Decide whether you need installed apps or whether browser access is enough.
- Subscription or fixed release: Microsoft 365 is a subscription with current app versions and plan-dependent services. Office 2024 is a one-time purchase of a fixed classic release.
- Users and devices: Check how many people and devices the specific plan or edition allows; limits vary.
- Required apps: Confirm whether the package includes Outlook, Access, or another app you need, and whether it works on your operating system.
- Cloud services and storage: A one-time Office suite does not include some cloud-backed services and features, including OneDrive, Exchange Online, and SharePoint Online. See Microsoft’s Office suites information.
- Offline work: Installed Microsoft 365 apps can work offline after activation. Internet access still matters for setup, updates, billing, and accessing documents stored in the cloud. Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 comparison explains the connectivity distinction.
Can you buy just one app, such as PowerPoint?
Do not assume that every Office app is available in every bundle or under the same purchase terms. Check Microsoft’s current product and plan listings for the app you want, supported device, and license conditions before buying. The Office 2024 editions described above are suites with the listed apps, not evidence that every app can be purchased separately.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Sleek and simple design that complements your Surface device.
- Dedicated Copilot[l] key for instant access to new experiences available on Windows 11.
- Convenient shortcut keys including Call mute, Snip & Sketch, Expressive input and Widget[2] for quick and easy access.
- Comfortable and responsive typing experience.
- Seamlessly pair to your device through wireless Bluetooth 4.0 connection with a range of up to 16 feet.
Rank #4
- Choose your keyboard color: Poppy Red, Ice Blue, Platinum, and Black. (1)
- Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and large trackpad for precise navigation and control.
- Typing and writing in one without the bulk, Surface Pro Signature Keyboard delivers fast and accurate typing like a traditional, full-size keyboard, plus natural on-screen writing with Surface Slim Pen 2 (sold separately).
- Work your way anywhere. Surface Pro Signature Keyboard clicks into place instantly and stays securely attached so you always have your pen and keyboard with you. Use with Surface Pro 8 or Pro X Kickstand for a full laptop experience.
- Close to protect screen and conserve battery, or fold back completely for a tablet.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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