When it comes to running Microsoft Outlook on a PC versus Mac, the choice between the two is often less a question of need and more a question of preference. It is essentially the specific functionality of these products that creates the user preference. Preference can, of course, be influenced by need, and every user has at least one specific need for a product: “to accomplish X.”
The average user basically has three options to run Microsoft Outlook:
I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with MS tech support, got Outlook opened and used it for a few hours, and after quitting the application, could not open it again. I am only able to check email on my phone or iPad. I am on a 2-yr old MacBook Pro, running OS 10.14.3. Outlook version is 16.23.1. Create a contact list and add or remove people. Office 365 subscription plans for consumers who work with Outlook 2016 for Mac include: At the bottom of the left navigation pane, select People.
Microsoft Outlook for Mac: This option meets very basic needs such as drafting emails, creating calendar events, and saving contacts. Based on a review of Microsoft’s direct support forums, the only feature available on Outlook for Mac that is not available on Outlook for Windows is the ability to synchronize Mail, Calendar, Tasks, and Notes with Outlook.com.
Microsoft Outlook for Windows: In my opinion, this is the best option because you’re able to run the application in Microsoft Windows, which means you have access to all of the application’s features. You’re able to use read-receipts, social, and voting features, allowing for collaboration on your projects. More importantly, side-by-side calendars, conversation actions, and the ability to use Word to compose your emails all allow for endless support from your co-workers so you’re all on the same page. You can even paste tables from Word/Excel directly into your email draft. There is an endless list of features available for Windows that are not available for Mac.
Office 365: This one-year subscription provides the entire suite of Microsoft products, plus 1 TB of OneDrive and Skype. Office 365 offers both “for home” and “for business” options, depending on your need. In addition, on up to five machines, you can download the applications natively versus using them in a browser. Downloading the program directly is highly recommended because there are many native options that are not available—or reliable—in the browser version (which again supports my opinion that Outlook for Windows is the best option). You can try a one-month subscription of Office365 for free.
Do you own a Mac? Does your job require the features available on Outlook for Windows? This is where Parallels Desktop for Mac can help you avoid the need to purchase a separate computer for Windows. Here’s what you will need to do:
In Parallels Desktop, create or port in a Windows virtual machine. Need Windows 10? Buy it below:
Windows 10 comes with the Outlook program. Either create a Microsoft exchange account or log in with an existing account:
Once logged in, you will have full access to Microsoft Outlook for Windows features on your Mac!
Outlook For Mac Profile Picture
If you’re comparing Outlook 2016 for Mac to Outlook 2016 for Windows, you can find a full comparison from Microsoft outlining Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Protocols, Exchange, and Miscellaneous here.
However, if you’re comparing the entirety of the Microsoft Office suite on Mac versus the Microsoft Office suite on Windows and iOS, check out the detailed report: Read Now – This post details Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Interested in running Microsoft Outlook or other Windows-exclusive programs on your Mac? Try a Parallels Desktop 14-day trial for FREE.
Get Outlook for Mac
Download Outlook Mac
Outlook is included with Microsoft Office 365. Faculty and staff with full-service SUNet IDs can download Microsoft Office for Mac via webmail for free. See the Microsoft Office page for more information.
Configure Outlook
You can configure Microsoft Outlook to access your Office 365 account by setting up an Exchange connection. An Exchange connection provides access your email, calendar, contacts, and tasks in Outlook.
Outlook For Mac Protocol
Note: Two-step authentication may also be required.
- Launch Outlook.
- On the Outlook menu, click Preferences and then click Accounts.
- Select Exchange or Office 365 for the account type
- Enter the following information for your Exchange account:
- Email Address: your @stanford.edu email address
- Method: User Name and Password
- User name: sunetid@stanford.edu
- Password: your SUNet ID password
- Configure automatically: checked
- Click Add Account.
- A message displays asking whether you want to allow the Outlook autodiscover server to configure your settings. Check Always use my response for this server and click Allow.
- Your Exchange account settings display. Close this window.