Tag Archives: Microsoft 365

Microsoft Office 2024 Arrives in Malaysia: Own Your Productivity Tools

Great news for Malaysian users who prefer a one-time purchase for their productivity needs! Microsoft Office 2024 is now available, offering classic desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for both Windows and macOS. This article dives into its availability, pricing, and what it means for you.

MS Office 2024

Unlike Microsoft 365, a subscription service, Office 2024 provides a one-time purchase option. This means you pay upfront and own the software license permanently, allowing you to use it on one PC or Mac for non-commercial purposes. This is ideal for users who prefer a more traditional ownership model and don’t need the cloud storage and other features offered by Microsoft 365.

What’s Included in Office 2024?

This version of Office comes with the core applications you’ve come to rely on:

  • Word: Create professional documents, letters, and reports with familiar features like formatting tools, styles, and collaboration options.
  • Excel: Analyze data, create spreadsheets, and build complex formulas to manage your finances or any data-driven project.
  • PowerPoint: Design compelling presentations with customizable templates, animations, and transitions to engage your audience.
  • OneNote: Take notes, organize your ideas, and collaborate with others in a digital notebook environment.

Pricing and Availability in Malaysia

Microsoft Office Home 2024 is readily available for purchase in Malaysia through the Microsoft Store and authorized retailers. The one-time purchase price is RM609 (including taxes). This provides you with the aforementioned applications for a single PC or Mac.

Here’s a quick breakdown compared to Microsoft 365:

FeatureOffice 2024Microsoft 365 (Personal)
Purchase ModelOne-time purchaseSubscription (monthly/yearly)
ApplicationsWord, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNoteWord, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher (PC only), Access (PC only), 1 TB OneDrive storage, 60 Skype minutes per month
Price (RM)RM609Starts from RM39 per month

Is Office 2024 Right for You?

If you’re a student, home user, or small business owner who needs core productivity applications for everyday tasks and prefers a one-time purchase, Office 2024 could be a perfect fit. However, if you require cloud storage, access to additional applications like Publisher and Access (PC only), or the convenience of automatic updates, Microsoft 365 might be a better choice.

So, will you be opting for the ownership model of Office 2024, or is Microsoft 365’s subscription model more your style? Let us know in the comments below!

Microsoft Unbundles Teams from Office 365 Globally

Microsoft seems to be standardising the uncoupling of Teams from Microsoft 365 to global markets. The move comes a few months after the company was forced to unbundle the app from its productivity suite – Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). Microsoft claims that the move will provide added flexibility and purchasing choices when it comes to using its productivity suite globally.

ed hardie xG02JzIBf7o unsplash microsoft apps
Photo by Ed Hardie on Unsplash

Teams was introduced in 2017 and grew in popularity over the course of the pandemic as one of the company’s answers to remote work and productivity. However, in 2020, Slack – one of Team’s main competitors – petitioned the EU alleging anticompetitive behaviour by Microsoft. The complaint alleged that it used its market-dominant Office 365 suite to push installs for Teams and force users to install it without the ability to remove it. This bundling was seen as an anticompetitive act suffocating competition. This complaint has led to ongoing antitrust investigations into the company concerning Teams in the European Union (EU).

The unbundling of Teams from Microsoft 365 comes months into the investigation. It was initially rolled out in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. Now, Microsoft seems to be standardising the unbundling globally both to align with the feedback from the European Commission and to preempt any further legal action that could result from the bundling of Teams in Microsoft 365.

Moving forward, Teams will be offered independently and as part of Microsoft 365 bundles. The app will be offered for USD$5.25 (RM24.95) monthly. Office without teams will be priced at USD$7.75 (RM36.84) to USD$54.75 (RM260.23) depending on the package. The pricing seems to be in line with the EEA pricing. However, it’s worth noting that global pricing has not been released officially.

LG’s MyView Smart Monitors Bring webOS to Monitors

Monitors aren’t just empty displays anymore. They’re becoming miniature Smart TVs that are optimised for work. LG is just the latest one to bring brains to its monitors with the new LG MyView smart monitors. The new MyView smart monitors come equipped with webOS 23 which allows it to bring all the software you need for basic productivity.

LG MyView Smartmonitor 2. 1
Source: LG

The new lineup of LG MyView smart monitors consists of three models: the 32SR85U, the 32SR83U and the 32SR70U. All three come with a 31.5-inch screen size and 4K UHD resolution. They are also equipped with IPS panels that support HDR 10. That said, they only sport a 60Hz refresh rate and a 5ms response time – not ideal for gaming. However, more than enough for day-to-day tasks and remote work.

The monitors adopt a similar design aesthetic to the LG TV lineup with virtually borderless displays and a slim form factor. There are two distinct designs for the MyView smart monitors. The 32SR85U and the 32SR83U come with a height-adjustable stand with a circular cutout. The 32SR70, on the other hand, comes with a low-profile base making it more compact.

The webOS-based software allows you to leverage Bluetooth and USB 2.0 to connect a keyboard and mouse. This will help with remote work as you will be able to use applications like Microsoft 365 (office) and the Google Productivity suite remotely or on the browser natively – no computer needed. The 32SR85U can even be paired with an optional detachable webcam which has Full HD resolution for video conferencing.

The MyView smart monitors also come equipped with a remote control. Of course, since they run webOS 23, you’ll also be able to use them as smart TVs to watch your favourite shows on apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

Pricing & Availability

LG hasn’t announced any pricing or availability details just yet. However, the MyView smart monitors will be on display at CES 2024.