Your computer works hard every day, and just like your car, it needs regular maintenance to stay reliable. Over time, dust, dirt and pet hair build up inside the system, restricting airflow and forcing components to run hotter than they should. Excess heat leads to slow performance, noisy fans and, in some cases, premature hardware failure.

A professional maintenance clean every six months keeps your computer running cooler, quieter and more efficiently — and this is something VirtualCity can take care of for you.

Our technicians don't just clean your system; we also check for early signs of wear, loose connections, fan issues and other potential problems before they turn into expensive repairs. It's simple preventative care that protects your investment.

• Prevent overheating and improve airflow
• Reduce dust build‑up inside your computer
• Keep fans running quietly and efficiently
• Identify potential hardware issues early
• Extend the lifespan of your computer

A small amount of preventative maintenance now can save you from major headaches later.

If it's been more than six months since your computer had a proper clean, it's probably overdue. Book a maintenance clean with VirtualCity and keep your computer performing at its best.

Cloud storage has become essential for backups, photo libraries, documents, and syncing across devices. But not all providers offer the same amount of free space — and their paid tiers vary widely in value.

Below is a clear, up‑to‑date comparison of the major players: Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, MEGA, pCloud, Icedrive, and Proton Drive, ranked by best free storage and best paid value.

All data is sourced from 2026 industry comparisons.

Google Drive continues to offer the most generous mainstream free tier at 15 GB, shared across Gmail, Photos, and Drive. New accounts may receive less unless phone‑verified, but verified accounts still get the full 15 GB.

Best for: General users, Android users, Google Workspace users.

MEGA advertises 50 GB, but the true permanent free tier is 20 GB — still the largest permanent free allocation among major providers.

Best for: Privacy‑focused users (end‑to‑end encrypted by default).

Icedrive offers a clean interface and a solid 10 GB free tier, though it includes a 3 GB/day bandwidth cap on shared links.

Best for: Users wanting a modern UI and simple upgrades.

pCloud starts at 5 GB, expandable to 10 GB by completing simple tasks.

Best for: Users wanting lifetime purchase options.

Microsoft’s OneDrive offers 5 GB free, tightly integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365.

Best for: Windows users, Office users.

Apple’s iCloud provides 5 GB free, shared across device backups, photos, and iMessage. Most users outgrow this quickly.

Best for: Apple ecosystem users.

Box Drive offers 10 GB free for personal accounts, though upload limits apply.

Best for: Users wanting enterprise‑grade security.

Dropbox remains the most restrictive major provider with 2 GB free.

Best for: Users who prioritise sync reliability over storage size.

When you exceed your free storage, pricing and bundled features matter. Here’s how the major providers compare for best value paid plans.

• • 30 GB from $9.90 AUD/month
  • 2 TB for $19.80 AUD/month (2026 pricing)
    Why it’s #1: Excellent value, strong collaboration tools, AI‑powered search, and the largest free tier.

• • 1 TB included with Microsoft 365 Personal at $13.25 AUD/month
    Why it’s #2: You’re not just buying storage — you get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Copilot integration. Best value for productivity users.

• • 2 TB for $14.99 AUD/month (Family Sharing included)
    Why it’s #3: Great for Apple users with deep integration into Photos, Messages, and device backups.

• • 500 GB from $4.99 USD/month or lifetime purchase options
    Why it’s #4: Unique lifetime plans make it a strong long‑term value option

• • 400 GB from €9.99 EUR/month (Pro Lite)
    Why it’s #5: Excellent privacy, but more expensive per GB than Google or Apple.

• • 2 TB for $18.69 AUD/month (2026 pricing)
    Why it’s #6: Best‑in‑class sync engine, but pricier than competitors.

• • 150 GB from $1.67/month (annual)
    Why it’s #7: Budget‑friendly, but smaller ecosystem and fewer collaboration tools.

• • 200 GB from $6.39 AUD/month
    Why it’s #8: Excellent privacy, but limited storage and features compared to mainstream providers.

Best Free Option Overall:

Google Drive — largest mainstream free tier and best all‑round functionality.

Best Free Option for Privacy:

MEGA — 20 GB free with end‑to‑end encryption.

Best Paid Value:

Google Drive or OneDrive (Microsoft 365) — depending on whether you prefer Google Workspace or Microsoft Office.

Best for Apple Users:

iCloud+ — seamless integration across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Best Long‑Term Investment:

pCloud Lifetime Plans — pay once, store forever.

Choosing the right office suite can make a huge difference in productivity, compatibility, and long‑term cost. Whether you’re a student, home user, or small business in Nowra, the big question remains: Should you pay for Microsoft Office 365, or switch to a free alternative like LibreOffice or OpenOffice?

Here’s a clear, practical comparison to help you decide.

🧰 1. Functionality Comparison

Microsoft Office 365 (Microsoft 365)

Office 365 remains the industry standard for productivity. It includes:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Teams

• OneDrive cloud storage

• SharePoint (business plans)

Strengths:

• Best compatibility with other users and organisations

• Real‑time collaboration

• Cloud syncing across devices

• AI‑powered features (Microsoft Copilot, design suggestions, predictive typing)

• Professional‑grade tools for business and education

Ideal for:

Businesses, students, remote workers, and anyone who needs seamless compatibility.

LibreOffice (Free & Open Source)

LibreOffice is the strongest free alternative, actively updated and widely used.

Includes:

• Writer

• Calc

• Impress

• Draw

• Base

• Math

Strengths:

• Completely free

• Excellent offline performance

• Strong for basic to intermediate document work

• Frequent updates and active community

Limitations:

• Formatting can break when opening complex Word/Excel files

• Limited collaboration tools

• No built‑in cloud storage

• No Teams‑style communication

Ideal for:

Home users, students on a budget, and anyone who doesn’t need advanced collaboration.

Apache OpenOffice (Free & Open Source)

OpenOffice was once the leading free alternative, but development has slowed dramatically.

Strengths:

• Free

• Simple interface

• Good for basic documents

Limitations:

• Very slow update cycle

• Weaker compatibility with modern Office formats

• Lacks many features found in LibreOffice

• Not recommended for business use

Ideal for:

Very basic home use or older systems.

💵 2. Pricing Comparison (Australia, 2026)

Microsoft Office 365 / Microsoft 365 (Official Australian Pricing)

According to Microsoft’s Australian store:

• Microsoft 365 Personal: AU$159/year or AU$16/month

• Microsoft 365 Family (up to 6 users): AU$179/year or AU$18/month

• Microsoft 365 Premium: AU$329/year or AU$33/month

Business plans (AUD):

• Business Basic: AU$8.20/user/month

• Business Standard: AU$17.20/user/month

• Business Premium: AU$30.20/user/month

These plans include cloud storage, Teams, Outlook, and ongoing updates.

LibreOffice (AUD)

• Free

• Optional donations

• No subscription required

Apache OpenOffice (AUD)

• Free

• No subscription

• No paid features

🥇 3. Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Office 365 if you:

• Need perfect compatibility with others

• Work in a business environment

• Use Teams, Outlook, or OneDrive

• Want AI‑powered tools

• Collaborate regularly

Choose LibreOffice if you:

• Want a powerful free alternative

• Mostly work offline

• Don’t need advanced collaboration

• Are comfortable with occasional formatting differences

Choose OpenOffice if you:

• Only need basic document editing

• Prefer a simple interface

• Are using an older computer

🏁 Final Thoughts

For most customers — especially businesses, students, and remote workers — Microsoft Office 365 remains the best all‑round choice in 2026. Its compatibility, cloud features, and AI tools make it hard to beat.

However, LibreOffice is a fantastic free option for everyday home use, and OpenOffice still works for very basic tasks.

If you’re unsure which one suits your needs, drop into the shop or message us — we’re always happy to help you choose the right tools for your workflow.