Microsoft 365 Subscription: Is It Worth It If You Barely Use Copilot?

My Microsoft 365 Subscription: Worth It Despite Limited AI Use

This article delves into the personal experience of Fionna Agomuoh with her Microsoft 365 subscription, particularly in light of the recent price increase due to the addition of Copilot+ features. The author questions the value proposition of paying for a service she uses minimally, primarily for the 'Read Aloud' function in Microsoft Word.

The Dilemma of Subscription Value

The author begins by drawing parallels between a Microsoft 365 subscription and other recurring payments like streaming services or gym memberships, highlighting the common struggle of justifying the cost when usage is low. She admits to letting Microsoft automatically renew her subscription for years, despite only utilizing one or two programs and features.

Core Usage: Read Aloud in Word

The primary and most valued function of Microsoft 365 for Agomuoh is the 'Read Aloud' feature in Word. She finds it invaluable for editing her articles, as it helps catch errors that might be missed during a standard read-through. The article fondly recalls the era of Clippy as the extent of AI assistance for many Gen X and Millennials.

Microsoft 365 Functionality and AI Integration

Agomuoh acknowledges the power of Microsoft 365's tools when used effectively, citing an example of creating a signature in Word using handwriting, wrap text, and transparency. She notes that proficiency in the suite is a recognized skill that AI hasn't entirely replaced. However, she observes that Microsoft is increasingly marketing its productivity suite and hardware around AI capabilities, with Copilot+ being a central focus. Despite this, she finds it easy to compartmentalize AI features, especially those involving rewriting or paraphrasing, as her work as a journalist requires original content creation.

AI as an External Tool

As a technology reporter, Agomuoh prefers to keep AI features separate from her core productivity workflow. She utilizes web-based versions of AI tools, such as the web version of Microsoft Copilot for its 'Think Deeper' function (powered by models similar to ChatGPT Pro), rather than integrating them directly into her applications. She mentions that features from Microsoft Designer, for instance, do not require a 365 subscription. Her workflow keeps her primarily in the 'Review' section of Word for 'Read Aloud,' away from the 'Home' section where the Copilot button is located, making the AI functionality feel distant.

Even with Google Workspace, where Gemini's icon is more prominent, she opts for the web-based Gemini for research or leisure tasks. She experimented with Gemini's 'Rephrase' tool in Workspace for synonyms but found it less effective than a simple Google search, which allowed her to maintain her writing flow.

Copilot+ Potential in Microsoft Notes

Agomuoh also touches upon the potential of Copilot+ in Microsoft Notes, where she stores various links and drafts. The 'Search with Bing' function within Notes could streamline her workflow by activating links directly, eliminating the need to copy and paste them into a browser. She concludes that while she may not actively use all Copilot+ features, her Microsoft 365 subscription remains beneficial for its core functionalities, with AI serving as an added bonus.

Future Subscription Plans

Looking ahead, Agomuoh plans to downgrade her Microsoft 365 subscription from a family plan to a personal plan, as she no longer needs the family sharing aspect and finds the current cost excessive for her limited usage. She emphasizes that paying $13 per month solely for the 'Read Aloud' feature in Word is not justifiable.