Can iPad 3 use MS word?

Question

I'd like to buy an iPad for my daughter to use in college and before purchasing it I was wondering if it has the ability to use MS word or something similar to do homework etc.

Answer 1

Hi Nidia25
Demo added good points like about adobe flash (still can't think of others right now) that I forgot to mention and I agree with him on the Air which I recommended to someone in this forum as an alternative to an ipad given the college situation. (Note - it has no cd/dvd/ rom drive.)
Regarding pc vs. Macbook Air - Here's the thing - we were always a pc family. Our first was a desktop that my sons and I used. It lasted about nine years without problems, though I had to upgrade and add other peripherals a few times. Eventually, it wasn't strong enough to keep being supported (though it still works!)
When my sons were old enough, I got a new desktop and laptops for both of my sons. I got all hp and had them filled with the best, thinking they would last for many years. However, they're guys, very into sports (playing and keeping up with the pros) and they hit links and there were viruses that would knock out their hard drives. I had to replace them many times ($65.00 - $80.00 each,) each time taking eight hours for each to re-install windows, etc. Then there were the charger bricks. I had to replace them, too, at least four times ($80.00 each.) I had to learn how to re-seat hard drives, use thermal silver compound, etc.
Then, at the end of 2009, my older son got the very well known Internet Security 2010 Virus. Our home was networked, and my younger son was getting out the last of his college applications. For security, I didn't dare try to fix it until all applications were done. When they went back to school after Christmas vacation, my older son had to do his college papers on the working laptop. After trying everything to get rid of the virus (as I'd successfully done too many times before) I gave up. Then in June of 2010, we got automatic Microsoft security updates which took out our two working computers. Microsoft was great, giving us everything we needed to get going again. However, I needed a number - a number - to get on the internet again, and HP, while they could have done it, refused to because my computer was more than two years old! I did all I could to try to get it going again. So I have here a $2,000.00 desktop that is useless.
Meanwhile, our younger son was starting college. After a lot of looking all Summer, he decided on an imac (cheaper than his old laptop.) He loved and still loves it. He kept trying to convince me to get one. I then bought my older son a macbook pro. And he still loves his. We then bought an imac, feeling quite guilty because I stll wanted to salvage my hp desktop. I couldn't, so I bought an imac, too. And guess what? I love it!
Apologies for having used the long way to this, but in case you're worried about changing to Apple products, it took a lot for us to go Mac. I was always worried about becoming one of those people who 'drank the Apple kool-aid.' I have to say, though, that we all love our  macs and we have no interest in buying a pc ever again! And they were cheaper than anything we'd owned before! And so far, no viruses!
We also got my husband an ipad this Summer. He only uses computers at the office, but thought he'd like a reader. He loves it. So my son bought one to use at school. He loves it. The one and only thing is, if he's working on a paper, he has to do it in his dorm room on his imac. He's in a dorm apt., and only one tv is allowed in the apt. So he can't watch tv and work at the same time. (?!) He's thinking of also buying a macbook or air with his money.
Just an fyi - when we got my husband an ipad, I waited until the new ipad came out, read issues on this support forum, and decided to go with a 32 gb. But they weren't available anywhere. So for the first time, we bought refurb through the apple on-line store - an ipad2 64 gb for $499.00. When my son played with his dad's for a bit, he decided to buy one, too. They had sold out in the refurb store, and didn't come back for six weeks! But he got it! Make sure, though, that if you buy refurb, make sure it's still supported in 'upgrades.' They point this out clearly under the title of each product.
So if you go Air or macbook pro you might want to consider the refurb store. If you buy new, you'll most likely qualify for the $100.00 student discount. My son's home for the long weekend. He sais he couldn't wait to get the new iphone. I told him the Galaxy III was getting great reviews, too. He laughed and said, "Sorry, Mom, I drank the kool-aid." Then we both laughed a bit. And guess which phone our older son wants!
Hope this helps!