MS Office

[x86]

Have you tried looking for Microsoft Office X for Mac? Its the previous version, but you may be able to pick up a cheap copy on eBay...

 

[Planner Dude]

If you can afford it, I'd get the MacBook. It's going to last a lot longer. But if you get the iBook now, settle down on the software you want on it, and keep it configured that way, there's no reason it shouldn't last you for some time.

If cost is a serious issue and you weren't in a serious hurry, too, for what it's worth, I'd point out that in ~3 months there will be refurbished MacBooks, likely in the ~$800 range....

good point!
By then they'll have any issues sorted out too