For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be running a series of “stocking stuffers,” under-US $100 holiday ideas for Mac users. If you’ve got an idea for a stocking stuffer, drop us a line. And for even more gift ideas, check out MacCentral’s holiday gift guide on Apple’s Web site.
There’s no better value among Mac software than AppleWorks. For about US$80 you get six products in one suite. It includes components for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, drawing, painting and presentations. And from now until Feb. 28, 2002, you’ll receive a free copy of The Sims or The Sims House Party Expansion Pack if you buy AppleWorks. Just complete and mail the original in-box redemption coupon and Apple will send you one of the games.
Sure, Office X has more power under the hood, but AppleWorks is plenty powerful for most non-business users. And it’s much cheaper (think one-fourth or better). AppleWorks is Carbonized and works great with Mac OS X. Plus, as of version 6.2.2, you can work with Microsoft Word and Excel documents using the included file translators — even documents created using the 2001 editions of Word and Excel. I’ve also managed to open some (but not all) files created with Word X.