Task 2: Google Slides vs Microsoft PowerPoint
PowerPoint presentations have been widely used all over the world, having a global acceptance, reach and penetration across the masses, giving an edge over all other applications. Microsoft PowerPoint ceaselessly improvises its features to keep it abreast of dynamic changes happening at a global level in the business world, strives to rank top among other applications. With the entry of “Google Slides”, gaining wider popularity across the globe, the competition is evident; paves way for a prospective comparison among other available apps – much to choose from for the end user.
There are various differences between these two software. This can be broken down into several aspects, mostly suggesting the overall dominance of Google Slides over Microsoft PowerPoint:
- Affordability:
- Google Slides is a part of Google Docs and is completely free to use.
- Meanwhile, PowerPoint is a part of Microsoft Office package. Therefore, in order to use it, you need to have a license for Microsoft Office. The packages start from $70 annually charged with OneDrive storage included or $150 one-time charge without OneDrive support. The fact that a software like Slides is free to use may suggest it's superiority. In the current climate, wherein people are working from home, it would make more sense to utilize Slides as the main presentation suite, as the end user doesn't have to worry about buying any software
- Accessibility:
- Google Slides doesn’t require any software installation in order to run. Since it is a cloud-based software, all you need to start preparing your presentation is a Google account and the internet. This makes Google Slides and your templates accessible from any device connected to the internet. Google Slides also comes with support for Chromecast, Hangouts, and AirPlay.
- PowerPoint, on the other hand, requires the Microsoft Office software to be installed on your PC in order to run. Your presentations are saved on your hard disc which means they are accessible in your personal computer. If you need to access your presentations online, you need to have access to Microsoft’s cloud storage OneDrive and save your templates there. PowerPoint also offers a free online version of the software named PowerPoint Online. However, it lacks many of the advancements included in the desktop-based original product.
- Online performance:
- Google Slides was created with an online performance in mind. The cloud-based software works flawlessly when the internet connection is strong. Since it runs in your browser, it is possible to experience glitches or slow loading sometimes; but the performance is still seemingly better than PowerPoint
- The online version of PowerPoint – PowerPoint Online comes with fewer features than Google Slides and even lesser than the advanced desktop version. If you’d like to learn which features lack in PowerPoint Online compared to the desktop PowerPoint, you can see them described in Microsoft Office’s support.
- Offline performance:
- Google Slides supports an offline mode. All you have to do is turn on this option while you are online.
- PowerPoint was designed to work on a PC. Once downloaded and installed, it doesn’t require an internet connection to behave properly.
- Backups and Storage:
- Google Slides saves all data on Goole Drive storage which is cloud based. This means – no need to hit “Save” every 5-10 mins. All changes are automatically saved to the cloud as you create them. Google Slides also provides a history review. You can go check out previous versions of your presentation, and restore them at any time if needed.
- PowerPoint doesn’t offer an automatic savings unless you have the latest version of the software and you are an Office 365 subscriber. Then, the program comes with an AutoSave option, which if checked, saves a copy of your document every few seconds on OneDrive. Google Slides is still superior in this aspect.
- Teamwork:
- Google Slides allows seamless collaboration between you and your team members. You can chat, comment, and make edits while you create your presentation simultaneously. All changes are viewed instantly by the rest of the team. Also, you can easily restore older versions of the presentation.
- Collaboration is not always possible with PowerPoint. In order to collaborate on a PowerPoint presentation, you and your team members need to work with PowerPoint 2010 or later, then save your template on OneDrive, and share the presentation with your fellow-collaborators. Another option is to use PowerPoint Online. This sounds way to complicated for a non tech savvy user, and therefore is harder for companies to implement in their workplace
- Templates and Special Effects
- Less is more is increasingly apparent in the industry today. Google Slides may seem basic in this aspect and not have as many features as PowerPoint, but it has just the right amount for an everyday workplace user. Therefore this aspect holds lesser bearing over the others mentioned earlier.
Here are a few steps to follow in order to open up and set up a Google Slides Presentation:
Step 1: Create a presentation
To create a new presentation:
- Open the Slides home screen at slides.google.com.
- In the top left, under "Start a new presentation," click New
. This will create and open your new presentation.
You can also create new presentations from the URL https://slides.google.com/create.
Step 2: Edit and format a presentation
You can add, edit, or format text, images, or videos in a presentation. (Click on the following links below in order to get more details regarding them)
Step 3: Share & work with others
You can share files and folders with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on them.
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