Buying a new Mac - which is best for running Microsoft Office?

Will you be creating large multiple page documents or large multi sheet spreadsheets with hundreds of cell references or maybe large presentations with many large images? You offered no details on the extent of your work flow and what you'll be using the Office suite for.

If not creating large complicated files, then the entry level MacBook Air will suffice. But if you're going to be creating memory intensive documents, spreadsheets, and presentations you're going to likely need more RAM.

Nobody ever complains abut having too much memory or too much disk space, but you need to consider your work tasks and what they need and then also consider future growth needs as well.

If you're buying a Mac for the purpose of running Microsoft Office, then I would say that

• A nice large screen (or two)
• A comfortable keyboard (probably one with a numeric keypad, for Excel use)
• A comfortable mouse
• A comfortable, adjustable office chair

should be high priorities. A lot of times, you're not going to be pushing the computer that hard (CPU-power-wise), but the ability to see a lot of stuff on the screen, and ergonomics that affect how comfortable it is to use it, will be things that affect your enjoyment of it.

That said, you might want to get a machine with 16 GB of RAM (even if you have to custom-order it).

All of the Apple Silicon Macs can drive large monitors, but some of them can only drive one monitor. That might not be a problem for you, but it is good to check specifications for things like expansion ports and video support, so you can plan out what you need, and what makes sense for you, before you choose and purchase a machine.

I presume you already have a license for Microsoft 365. Any new Mac you get will be able to run this.

Just to clear up some possible confusion, you mention you're buying a Mac, but then keep mentioning iOS. Macs run macOS. iOS is only for Apple's mobile devices. Specifically, iPads and iPhones. A MacBook, being a laptop, is of course also mobile, but it's still a Mac and uses macOS.

Anyway, you don't need to purchase another copy of MS 365, if you don't mind the temporary hassle of using only one license. You can download and install 365 on your Mac. When you need to use 365 on the Mac, logout of your MS account on the Windows computer so you can activate your license on the Mac. Go in the reverse when you need 365 activate on your Windows device.

Eventually, you'll make one last deactivation on the PC and leave 365 permanently activated on the Mac.

I must continue to run Office for all the Microsoft people I interact with.

Are you sure?

I interact with plenty of people who use MS Office, as much as anyone I suppose. I have had no need for Microsoft products for at least a decade and a half.

[Removed accidental duplicate of earlier reply.]