microsoft office home and student 2016 mac

Microsoft Office Home and Business (H&B) versus Office Home and Student (H&S): What's the Difference?

When it comes to choosing a version of Microsoft Office, many Mac users are often left wondering what sets apart the various suites offered by MS. Specifically, how does Microsoft Office H&B compare to its more budget-friendly counterpart, Microsoft Office H&S? In this article, we'll dive into the details and help you make an informed decision about which suite best suits your needs.

Functionality-wise, both versions of Microsoft Office are essentially identical. Both include classic desktop editions of MS's most popular productivity applications: Word (for word processing), Excel (for data analysis), PowerPoint (for presentations) and Outlook (as a comprehensive email client).

However, there are some key differences that may influence your purchasing decision.

One significant distinction lies in compatibility - while both suites can run on either Windows or Mac operating systems, they each have specific licensing requirements. Microsoft Office H&B is licensed for use by one user across up to 16 devices (both PCs and Macs), whereas the Home & Student version is limited to installation on just two machines running a qualifying version of either Windows or macOS.

Another notable difference lies in included features - while both suites come with core MS Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, H&B also throws into the mix advanced tools such as Publisher (for publishing documents) and Access (a database management program). Additionally, users who opt for Microsoft Office Home & Business receive 60 days of premium technical support via phone or online chat at no extra cost.

Finally, it's worth noting that both suites are offered on a perpetual license basis - meaning once you've paid the initial fee, you'll have ongoing access to all included features without worrying about future subscription renewals. However, please be aware that Microsoft does offer its productivity software as part of various cloud-based subscriptions (Office 365) which may prove more cost-effective for heavy users who also require frequent updates.

In conclusion, while there are some minor differences between the two suites in terms of compatibility and included features, both versions of Microsoft Office - Home & Business and Home & Student - offer an excellent value proposition for Mac users looking to get started with MS's popular productivity software. Ultimately, your choice will come down to whether you're willing/need access across multiple devices or require more advanced tools like Publisher and Access.

Here is a quick comparison chart:

| Feature | Microsoft Office H&B 2019 vs Microsoft Office H&S 2016 Mac |

| --- | --- | ---

| Compatible operating systems | Windows, macOS (Office for Mac) |

| Number of licenses included per user | One user across up to 16 devices or machines depending on version purchased |

| Included applications: | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Publisher and Access in H&B only |

| Technical support offered free with purchase? | Yes - 60 days via phone or online chat for both suites |

Microsoft office home and student 2016 mac