It does, but if I send someone a link to a Google doc (or, for that matter, an iWork doc), I know that they can edit it and send it back to me. No amount of non-suckiness can overcome that.

How often is that a requirement, though? I'd imagine the vast majority of cases are people just looking to send a document, not look for edits.

And even if they are, how often do you send documents to people looking for edits in a situation where you can't assume that they have access to Word? It's pretty much standard issue.

Just as you can do with Office Online, mentioned in this thread?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7482708