I bought my first MAC last year.
Got Office with it because I was used to it.
Glad I did. It works fine...and was one Ap I didn't have to learn.
(Still haven't learned most of the others).
By the way...if you buy the MAC I urge getting the $99 one year deal for unlimited classes a a MAC store.
Very useful and helpful.
Wish I had time to take more classes.
If you're used to Microsoft Office on a PC, it's very similar on a Mac. No sense in learning iWork, when the transition to MO for Mac will be seamless.
buy MS office, if any of your friends have it check with them. You can buy it with one or 3 licenses. If your friends bought the 3 licenses you can borrow it from them and get it for free.