Might buy a Mac (first time). Any advice? Long question?

I would definitely recommend a mac if you are looking for a good computer for school. I am a high school student and got my first mac (it was also my first computer) back in 2008 and it is still working like new even with all that I have put it though. To your first question, yes. You can easily do word processing (typing up papers), excell and powerpoint documents if you buy either iwork or office for mac. If you get a mac, I would recommend getting office for mac because it is a bit easier to learn how to use it than iwork and is better for students. Also for your concern about emailing to teachers, you will not have to convert the file if you get Microsoft office for mac because it uses a .docx file format (office for windows uses .doc) which is compatible with most versions of microsoft office on windows computers that schools and teachers use. For your second question, also yes. If you are switching over from a pc, it will take a week or two to get used to but they are very easy to use, almost as easy as say using an iphone or ipod. It only took me about three days to learn how to use my computer when I first got it. Macs are great for students and I would recommend getting one.