IMHO Office for Mac is a far better product than the Windows version. Unless you have a compelling need to run other software than runs only under Windows, I'd heartily recommend that you make the switch to Mac and leave Windows behind. You won't regret it.
Sure you can do it. There aren't any "major" issues, apart from you choosing whether you want to run:
a) Windows and Win software on an entirely separate partition (reboot to switch OSes) using a tool from Apple called Boot Camp (free);
b) Run in a virtualization environment (such as Virtual Box, Parallels, VMWare Fusion) that allows Windows and OS X to run simultaneously ... the former runs as an "app" in the latter ... or
c) Use a program like CrossOver to run MS Office 2010 without Windows at all (using WINE, basically).
The first requires a fresh, authorized copy of Win 7 (OEM or retail, must not have been used before). The second offers the option of using any version of Windows (or Linux or whatever) you want. The third requires only that MS Office 2010 be supported (and a paid copy of CrossOver).
But if you're going to a Mac, why not just get the Mac version of Office and dispense with the viruses, security issues and general hassle?
Many thanks to chas_m & Sawday,
you have both given me a lot to think about. I use a lot of applications that are Windows only but I am sure I can manage without most. I do use several text editors, not programming text editors, but written English text, some apparently were written originally for the Mac.
can you comment on the difference between MS Office 2010 for Windows and for the Mac?
Is there an included word processor with the Mac and how do you rate it?
One more thing what about disk defragging etc?
Oh you're going to love it on the Mac.
The Mac version is known as Office 2011 since it came out a year later.
I guess the best analogy would be that it's like buying a new and different make of car -- all the same things are there, but you're not quite sure and comfortable with where it all is yet. Things will look a little different, but most of the commands are the same* and the stuff is all there.
*On the Mac, we use "command" and a keystroke where you would use "alt" and a keystroke.
Yes, a basic one is provided, it has a few bells but is meant to be basic. It's called TextEdit and I find it more powerful than Notepad on the PC but a far cry from let's say MS Word.
There's also Notes (now included) but again, more like Notepad. There are dozens of alternative options, some free some paid. I like SimpleNote (third-party, free) and Notes (built in) because they both automatically sync with my iOS devices (iPhone, iPad). For more serious word processing I like Pages ($20, available from Apple), Bean (free but no longer supported sadly) and Celtx (scriptwriting software, free) among others.
Not needed. Macs require FAR less management and maintenance than Windows PCs, but that's not to say they require none. But leave your anti-viruses, your registry cleaners and disk defraggers behind ... you're about to step into a beautiful new world where you get to focus on your own work rather than being a computer admin.
Compare that to Word, which is not only five times more expensive, but requires a license for each and every computer you want to have it installed on...
And Word while certainly more expensive than Pages (since Word also includes Powerpoint and Excel as part of MS Office) it is not 5 times as expensive.
You can purchase a single install of Mac Office 2011 for as little as $90.00.
And there is also the 3 install licensed package for $110.00. (Home and Student version.)