If you have a basic amount of annual expenditure, office really is the way to go. the options available are truly awesome.
IMHO free office alternatives are great for non serious activities, however, vba is most powerful in its native environment.
for things like word, the differences are negligible, if you want to actually use office, then VBA integration is a massive part of the office advantage.
for basic use, the imitations will do.
for real actual solutions you will need something like excel and access.
I am an office supporter. Free office is great for broke students -(I have been one) I now work for a company with money, Office is great, pay the fee, and you can work with it to your own end.
I prefer office, because it has never told me no. anyone with basic programming nouse will find nothing but joy within Microsoft office.
so says I anyway.
Burn retina, burn!
