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Which laptops are compatible with the *desktop* version of Office apps?

Anonymous
2023-06-05T13:45:18+00:00

I am looking to buy a new laptop, and my current one is a Chromebook which only supports the online version of Office 365. I want my new laptop to be able to download and run the *desktop* version of these apps, as I often work without internet, and honestly just don't personally enjoy the format of having to use Office 365 in a web browser window.

Other than Chromebooks, are there any laptops that I should steer clear of to avoid this problem in future?

I am currently looking into getting a LENOVO IdeaPad 1 15.6" Laptop - AMD Ryzen 5, 256 GB SSD, but I would like to confirm that I am able to actually download Microsoft Word etc onto the laptop - instead of having to use Office 365 - before I make the commitment of buying the product, as I do feel quite strongly about it.

If anyone can confirm the compatibility of the above laptop with this preference, or offer any guidance as to what to look for/avoid, it would be very much appreciated, as I find this sort of thing very overwhelming.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-06-05T14:28:57+00:00

    The downloadable version of Microsoft 365 is available for the operating systems Windows and MacOS. So it will work on the Lenovo Ideapad 1, for example.

    I myself have a Dell XPS13 9315 laptop with Windows 11. The locally installed versions of Word, Excel etc. work fine on it.

    A ChromeBook uses ChromeOS as operating system. so the downloadable version of Microsoft 365 will not work on a ChromeBook, only the online (browser) version.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-19T00:34:06+00:00

    I also have the same annoyance and I also have a Chromebook. I paid for a year of Microsoft Office 365 after being assured that I could do everything I can do with the "desktop" version. I now HATE 365. I have long waits to save and can't edit like I can on regular platform.

    I have to go to the library to do my work, save it on a USB and take it home. ****!

    Did you get a response?

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-05T14:12:09+00:00

    Hi HansV,

    Thank you for your help, but I am actually aware of this - the issue is not whether or not a desktop version is available. While a version is, indeed, available to download, it is not compatible with Chromebook laptops, and my problem is that I can't find any information on whether that is the case for other types of laptop as well, or if it only applies to Chromebooks.

    Best wishes,

    Sam MacLeod

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  3. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-06-05T13:57:57+00:00

    Microsoft 365 comes with downloadable desktop versions of Word, Excel etc. if you're on Windows or MacOS.

    The Lenovo laptop is available with Windows 11 in the Home and Home S versions. I'd recommend avoiding the Home S version - it is much more limited.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-06-05T14:37:50+00:00

    Ah, ok. Understood, thank you for your assistance.

    Best wishes,

    Sam

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