I have been into IT and technical services for over 26 years.
Owned/used in my business 16 PC computers in 12 years for me.
Have owned and used only 4 Macs in 12 years for me.
Why?
Let us get a reality fix here.
PC's need:
Defragging because of slow downs.
AntiVirus software for - DUH - viruses.
Deep scans for Bots, Root Kits, Phishing, Spybot etc.
Anti Virus updates.
Anti virus check every time on start up.
Blue screens of death.
Software updates from Windows.
Just had 11 updates this very freaking hour!
Has updates to fix updates.
Some updates kill your software.
Drivers that must be updated.
Hardware updates for OS changes.
Full OS reinstalls because of file loading errors.
Lockups due to file incompatibilities.
Mac's need:
None of the above.
By the way.
There are only (2) - yup count' em - (2) viruses for Mac's.
And those have to be actuated and installed by operator error!
Mac's have no problem with viruses because of the OS.
Can't be limited popularity as so many experts say.
Because Mac's are number (3) in sales.
12 of the 16 PC's have had to be replaced or upgraded.
All the Mac's are still working.
Vista runs faster on Mac's then almost ALL PC's!
Mac's only run PC software because it is cost effective.
If you have to buy a Mac, why also buy a PC?
For $350 for Vista Ultimate you get the worlds fastest Vista!
Macs are for people who need computers that never fail.
That work 100% of the time 24 hours a day.
That can manipulate HUGE files.
MAC's come with audio/video editing software.
A REAL video editing suite - Standard.
They also come with a REAL audio editing suite - Standard.
Upper level Macs come standard with Digital Input/Output - Standard.
Macs also play games just fine with Parallels or VM Ware.
Macs use Postscript printers.
PC's can't even print reliably.
Here is a sample.
Almost always PC PowerPoint will not print posters on a PC.
Guess where it will print from?
MAC!
How do I know this?
Because that is what I do as a living now over 12 years.
So if you value your data.
If you value your time.
If you want consistency.
If you want ease of use.
Remember, Macs' OS is the OS Vista failed to be!
If you want to save money in the long run - Go Mac.
If all you want is cheap performance.
Then that is just what you will get - CHEAP!
Mac's are NOT built for a price point.
They are built to be used for data.
If you go to school all year for a project, want to risk losing it?
If your business rides on it, want to risk losing it?
I don't know about you.
But there have been many times where PC's have let me down.
Mac's have only done so twice - AND it was my fault.
Also think of all the off-line time that a PC has.
Remember most Mac's are way more equipped than PC's.
With ALL the software you will ever need already installed.
When matching CAPABILITIES they cost the same!