iWork '09
Manufacturer: Apple Part number: MB942Z/A
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.
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CNET editors' review
iWork '09 price range: $58.83 - $75.99
- Reviewed by: Jason Parker
- Reviewed on: 01/27/2009
- Released on: 01/17/2009
The good: Interface tweaks make commonly used features more accessible. Flashy, eye-catching presentations are even easier to make. iWork apps play well together with added interoperability across the suite.
The bad: Still no business-grade e-mail client. iWork.com Web component doesn't allow for true collaboration. The lack of an auto save feature is a particularly problematic omission we hope to see in future releases.
The bottom line: Intuitive interface design and easy access to useful features make iWork the best office suite choice on the Mac. Though it lacks some of Microsoft Office's advanced options, iWork '09 is an emerging powerhouse in its own right.
iWork '09 also introduces iWork.com public beta, a new Web service. This fledgling sharing site lets you share documents online, invite viewers who can make comments, and allows for downloads in iWork, Microsoft Office, and PDF formats. Sadly, it does not let you edit online, so true online collaboration is unavailable. The beta is free, but Apple gives no word yet on the pricing structure once iWork.com reaches release status.
Setup and Interface
As in the previous iWork installment, you won't need the latest and greatest Mac to run iWork '09. At minimum, you'll need an Intel, PowerPC G5, or G4 machine with a 500MHz or better processor, plus a minimum of 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended) running OS X 10.4.11. Installation was seamless in our tests, taking just under 10 minutes.
iWork's appearance hasn't changed much since iWork '08. The minimalist layout and easy to navigate toolbars remain; home and small business users will find the suite accommodating. The iWork '09 toolset still outmatches online solutions (minus collaboration abilities) such as Google Docs and Spreadsheets, ZOHO, and ThinkFree, so Mac users will have more functionality firepower than the common online offerings. Smart tools in iWork like the Contextual Format Bar in Pages and Keynote's new Magic Move features are the type of the things you won't find in online favorites.
Keynote
Past versions of Keynote have always won us over, and new features in Keynote '09 only make iWork better. Easy-to-use graphics tools and a variety of animation effects help you make eye-catching presentations, and a slew of new transitions and intuitive animation effects add to this presentation program's appeal.
The new Magic Move tool lets you automatically animate images, graphics, and text by choosing from several preset slide transitions. Keynote will automatically resize, rotate, and change the position of objects between slides with one of several 3D effects. We especially like the options for text animation, which let you make creative transitions by switching letters from one slide into a new message on the next using unique new visual effects such as Sparkle, Anagram, and Swing.
New styles and animations are available for 3D charts in Keynote '09, letting you make graphs with beveled edges, cylinder shapes, and 3D textures. We like that the new build effects use 3D motion to animate your charts, making them more eye-catching, too.
To reduce file size for your presentations, Keynote '09 has implemented a way to optimize video files. Now you can clip your videos to just the segment you want, and Keynote trims any unused video frames. You also can easily convert images to slide resolution to trim even more.
Pages
Pages '09 offers feature-rich word processing and layout tools alongside intuitive graphics features to make your projects both easy to make and easy on the eyes. Though not as deep as Microsoft Word for formatting and layout options, Pages now offers even more variety with 40 new templates, including stationary sets and a variety of newsletter designs. Added support for EndNote X2 (sold separately) makes adding bibliographic references to your project extremely easy, and new support for MathType 6 (sold separately) makes adding mathematical equations a snap.
New features to Pages '09 include a full-screen view to eliminate distractions while you write. While you work in full-screen, just mouse to the top and left side of your screen to quickly reveal Pages' Contextual Format Bar and a navigation pane. There are several third-party apps available that offer similar distraction-free writing and we were happy to see this feature added to Apple's word processor. While Microsoft Word offers a full-screen reading layout, Apple's use of the black background with mouseable menus only when you want them makes it even more distraction free.
Pages '09 also adds dynamic outlines, letting you collapse and expand your bullet points with the click of your mouse, drag-and-drop topics to anywhere you like, and add elements such as images and video. Helpful options, including the ability to collapse outlines to the first line of lengthy topics, make it easy to get to the information you want to modify quickly, keeping your outlines about ideas.
You also can now use data from any Numbers (Apple's spreadsheet app noted below) table directly in Pages. But what makes this feature truly useful is that your table or graph will automatically update in Pages with the click of a button when you update data in the Numbers file.
Numbers
Numbers '09 has now been in the wild for a year and--with several new enhancements adding even more time-saving features--it's obvious Apple has been paying attention to its audience. While it keeps the familiar feel of Microsoft's Excel, Numbers '09 offers much smarter ways of dealing with data, tables, and charts. While engineers, accountants, and science-related professionals may require some of Excel's more robust tools, those with small businesses or other spreadsheet-related needs will find Numbers '09 easy to work with. New, Apple-designed templates for common spreadsheet needs (such as a check register and savings calculator) are also included giving beginners easy starting points.
Formula writing is even easier with Numbers '09 with added features like color-coded placeholders and plain-language help tags and pop-up menus for commonly used values. Figuring out how to calculate how much to put away for your child's education over the course of time, for example, is made much easier with clearly labeled functions that require only a couple of clicks to include in your spreadsheet.
The function browser in Numbers '09 has also received a much-needed upgrade, now with more than 250 functions, complete with built-in help that explains each function along with examples so you can quickly figure out which ones you need for the project at hand.
New chart options let you combine line, column, and area series into a mixed chart letting you create advanced charts with trend lines and error bars. Even more impressive, if the presentation style is different--with animated 3D charts for a Keynote presentation or simple 2D diagrams for printed materials in Pages--all of the data is pulled from the same Numbers file using only a couple of clicks from within each app.
Service and Support
We found the help database within iWork '09 very easy to navigate with information covering topics in all three programs. Several video tutorials make some of the more complex processes much easier to understand. When neither of those fulfilled our needs, a quick search of Apple's iWork support site and online forums became the best resource. iWork buyers receive 90 days of unlimited free telephone support for installation, launch, or reinstallation. Three years of telephone support is offered for a hefty $49 per incident through AppleCare. Users can also seek help at the Genius Bars at Apple stores or attend free workshops offered by stores.
Conclusion
iWork '09 makes many of the already user-friendly features from last year's version even easier. While there is some learning curve to get up and running for former Microsoft Office users, iWork '09 offers an extremely intuitive interface and has plenty of advanced time-saving features to make it a worthy replacement for the much more pricey Microsoft solution. The lack of an integrated business-level e-mail client is still a disappointment, but Apple's included Mail program preinstalled on Macs will suffice in most cases. Though iWork.com is a welcome addition for sharing iWork files online, we would have liked a more collaborative online solution, but we expect this is probably slated for future versions.
User reviews
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Minimal Upgrade to a Nearly Perfect Suite
by DMCer on January 30, 2009
Pros: Keynote runs circles around PowerPoint. Pages is the best graphic layout application I've used (different class from InDesign entirely). I use it mainly for marketing posters and MS Word is no match. The "instant alpha" feature is a Godsend.
Cons: No major cons, although I would like to see a more conservative resume template. The ones included are still to flamboyant for professional-type careers, and there is often too much white space on the page.
Summary: I have no idea what CNET's Jason Parker was thinking when he criticized iWork for lack of a "business-grade e-mail client." No one is really asking for that, and ...
Summary: I have no idea what CNET's Jason Parker was thinking when he criticized iWork for lack of a "business-grade e-mail client." No one is really asking for that, and it's a totally unnecessary feature. Mail.app is perfect; if bloated is your think, go with Entourage.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Solid product, well worth the money
by gmspons on January 28, 2009
Pros: All the power most users will ever need
Keynote beats Power Point hands downCons: Some of the formatting doesn't port well to MS Office
Summary: For the price you'll be hard pressed to find a better suite to use for the Mac. It's quick to open, full of features and solid in operation. ...
Summary: For the price you'll be hard pressed to find a better suite to use for the Mac. It's quick to open, full of features and solid in operation. I'm not a heavy spreadsheet user, but Pages and Keynote absolutely are worth the money, and Keynote is a dream to use. The review stated that MS Word has better layout features, but I don't see it. In fact, I do better with Pages than Word in the layout.
If you don't have to have Word/Excel you owe it to yourself to try it out. The only reason I didn't give it a solid 5 star is some trouble I had porting some documents over - not all the formatting transferred as well as I would have liked. Other than that, no problem and worth the money for a native Mac program.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Still lacks important MS compatabiity
by MRMoodle on February 9, 2009
Pros: Pages templates, Numbers number crunching and Keynote updates are very good and well worth a look.
Keynote is still the one to beat.Cons: Poor handling of tables, line numbering as well as word/excel compatibility and auto save issues still make Pages and Numbers the second choice when it comes to word processing and spreadsheets. Although the gap is closing fast.
Summary: Why is line numbering such a pain in the neck?
Nearly there but not quite.Summary: Why is line numbering such a pain in the neck?
Nearly there but not quite.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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A worthy alternative to MS Office
by spinoza2 on January 30, 2009
Pros: Intuitive, easy to learn, excellent handling of graphics
Cons: Weak support for Website designers, no html support
Summary: I switched to iWork from Mac Office some three years ago, and once I realized there would be no problems sharing documents with MS Office users I have never looked ...
Summary: I switched to iWork from Mac Office some three years ago, and once I realized there would be no problems sharing documents with MS Office users I have never looked back. I liked MS Office, but it was unnecessarily complex where it didn't need to be, and it was at times buggy. iWork is very stable (?It just works?) and refreshingly intuitive. I quickly learn to carry out complex formatting and document creation tasks in a refreshingly easy manner. Keynote is a lot of fun to use, and is at least as powerful as Powerpoint, if not more so because of the Mac's unexcelled graphics abilities.
For those still concerned about letting go of Office, I can without hesitation recommend taking the step both in terms of productivity improvements and because of the cheaper costs in keeping up with new versions.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Solid, Easy-to-use Office Suite
by naharrison on January 28, 2009
Pros: Just similar enough to MS Office to make for a smooth transition from one to the other. Many more templates than MS Office. Nice looking, smooth graphics. "Inspector" in each of the programs makes for simple and precise corrections and edits.
Cons: Would love to see an auto-save feature. A few small bug fixes here and there for the first version are needed.
Summary: Overall, iWork '09 is one of the best office clients I have ever encountered. It is simple and familiar for even the computer-shy. Runs logically; If you would like to ...
Summary: Overall, iWork '09 is one of the best office clients I have ever encountered. It is simple and familiar for even the computer-shy. Runs logically; If you would like to drag and drop something, or resize something to exactly the size of the item above it, there are actions in place assisting you with all of this. If any program can read your mind and give you what you want... it's iWork '09.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great, Well Worth the money to upgrade from iWork '08
by mgartner0622 on January 28, 2009
Pros: A ton of great new features, some new templates, and full screen, which i use every day, make this a great alternative to the Microsoft Office Suite for Mac.It is also almost half the price!!!! (neat visual fade in/out effects make it even better!)
Cons: seems to take a little longer to start up then the old 2008 version
Summary: Wonderful, and totally agree with my one line summary!
Summary: Wonderful, and totally agree with my one line summary!
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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more userfriendly and faster than MS Office 2004/2008
by stonevil on January 29, 2009
Pros: Very useful, userfriendly. Good integration with OS and other Apple software
Cons: Please add support for Google applications like spreadsheets etc
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great product but missing Office integration
by fruiteatingbear on January 29, 2009
Pros: It's very intuitive, easy to use, and I personally prefer iWork to MS Office. (OK I admit it a fanboy since the 90's)
Cons: Am never going to use iWork for work until I can open Word and Excel documents, edit, save and then send on to clients without any one being aware that I am not using a MS product.
Summary: At this time MSWord and MSExel are the defacto standard in my industry. Until iWork allows seamless integration to MS Office in a corporate environment, I cant use it. Could ...
Summary: At this time MSWord and MSExel are the defacto standard in my industry. Until iWork allows seamless integration to MS Office in a corporate environment, I cant use it. Could use it at home, but why have twice the number of programmes and formats to use?
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The best office suite in the market!
by qosmioamit on October 11, 2010
Pros: -Terrific UI
-Compatible with Word, Excel, Powerpoint
-iWork online integration to distribute copies to PC and Mac users
-Loads of templates
-Easy drag and drop functionality
-Apple retail stores offer FREE group tutorials every weekCons: None whatsoever!
Summary: I have been using iWork '09 ever since I got my new mac. It is the best office suite I have used to date. It was launched before Office 2010 ...
Summary: I have been using iWork '09 ever since I got my new mac. It is the best office suite I have used to date. It was launched before Office 2010 and it was ages ahead of it already. The fact that I could comfortable import xls, doc, ppt and modify them, and then export them back to the doc, xls, ppt was terrific. I am the only Mac user among a class full of PC users. I needed the compatibility. It is a very intuitive suite and the drag-drop functionality is terrific. Kudos to Apple!
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Don't bother
by electronbee on June 15, 2010
Pros: Nothing that I can think of.
Cons: Did not accept all macros and formatting from Windows based Office. Don't buy this thinking you will be able to bring in Excel spreadsheets and Word docs home to work.
Summary: Did some really strange stuff with my documents and I stopped using it after about 15 minutes. Sure, I could have spent more time but I had work to do. ...
Summary: Did some really strange stuff with my documents and I stopped using it after about 15 minutes. Sure, I could have spent more time but I had work to do. So, believe it or not, I fell back onto Google Docs, which is better and free. If you require a standalone package that is free then I suggest Open Office.
Ultimately, MS Office for Mac is the way to go. iWorks really is not worth it for a working professional. If you originate your stuff from iWorks or are a student writing from scratch. Maybe. But, why buy this when you can get OpenOffice for free?
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Part number: MB942Z/A
- Description: iWork, Apple's productivity suite, is the easiest way to create great-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Writing and page layout are easy using Pages. Numbers gives you simple ways to make sense of your data. Cinematic animations, transitions, and effects in Keynote will keep your audience captivated.
General
- Category Office applications
- Subcategory Office applications - presentation,
Office applications - word processor,
Office applications - spreadsheet - Language(s) English
- License pricing Standard
- Localization English
Software
- License Type Complete package
- License Qty 1 user
- License Pricing Standard
- Platform MacOS
- Distribution Media DVD-ROM
- Package Type Retail
System Requirements
- OS Required Apple MacOS X 10.4.11,
Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later - Software Requirements QuickTime 7.5.5 or later
- Min Processor Type Intel Power PC G4,
Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5 - 500 MHz - Peripheral / Interface Devices DVD-ROM
- System Requirements Details Apple MacOS X 10.4.11 - PowerPC G4 - RAM 512 MB - HD 1.2 GB
Product series
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: 1 user,
Complete package,
Apple MacOS X 10.4.11,
Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later,
DVD-ROM,
Intel Power PC G4,
Intel Power PC G4 Power PC G5 - 500 MHz,
MacOS,
QuickTime 7.5.5 or later -
Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: 5 PC in one household,
Complete package,
Apple MacOS X 10.4.11,
Apple MacOS X 10.5.6 or later,
DVD-ROM,
500 MHz,
MacOS,
QuickTime 7.5.5 or later
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Apple products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Apple
- Address:
One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014 - Phone: 1-408-996-1010
