Google Apps vs. Microsoft Office 2007

(FSB magazine) -- Here is a quick look at the how Google Apps and Microsoft's Office 2007stack up against each other.

Google Apps

WORD PROCESSING

PROS: Real-time collaboration, instant backup, low to no cost.

CONS: Awkward clipboard integration, Internet-only access.

SPREAD SHEET

PROS: It's free.

CONS: Google's web-based spreadsheet app is this package's nadir. Quants will pine for Excel.

CALENDAR AND E-MAIL

PROS: Excellent search integration, calendar management, and mobile-access tools.

CONS: If you're offline, you won't be reminded of that key meeting.

SELLING POINT Creates one centralized web location for all your data: documents, mail, calendar, Adwords account, etc.

Office 2007

WORD PROCESSING

PROS: Word 2007 offers snazzy graphics, great spell-check, and slick integration with Office.

CONS: Confusing "Ribbon" layout.

SPREAD SHEET

PROS: Powerful new data integration and presentation tools enhance Excel 2007. If you deal with lots of data, choose Office.

CONS: None.

CALENDAR AND E-MAIL PROS: Outlook now puts professional CRM tools on your desktop.

CONS: Limited support for Quick-Books and other critical non--Microsoft applications.

SELLING POINT Slick look and feel make Office 2007 the presentation package to beat. If your meetings still stink, you have no one to blame but yourself.