I'm writing this review on Word using an iPad and Android tablets from Samsung and Google - the latter with a wireless keyboard. (Access for databases and Publisher for desktop publishing aren't available yet.) Microsoft offers Word for text documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for email and OneNote for organization - all for free. Microsoft's newly released Office apps for iPhones, iPads and Android tablets are quite good. What's right for you comes down to whether you need a PC or can get things done with just your smartphone or tablet. Those who primarily use iOS and Android mobile devices can probably stick with free apps. The subscription will appeal to people who use Office apps on traditional Windows or Mac computers or Windows tablets, such as the Surface Pro 3.

It's a smart move by Microsoft, but it makes me wonder whether you really need a subscription, which starts at $70 a year. The company now offers Word, Excel and others at no cost on most mobile devices. Just as I was warming up to choosing a Microsoft Office 365 subscription over making a one-time software purchase, Microsoft started giving away a lot of subscription benefits for free.

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