Oh boy...alrighty
The argument that Macs are for simple minded people is pretty ridiculous, and not valid. OS X is Unix, which means there is a robust command line. Add in things like Applescripts, shell scripting, automator, you have yourself a very and powerful plus robust operating environment. The fact that they made it simple and stream lined it, just goes to show you how efficient it really is. To try to say that Windows is better because it is more complicated is asinine. More complications equal less efficiency as well as less security. The registry for one, is the most bloated piece of crap thing I have ever encountered in an OS.
Windows isn't more complicated, it is just not as pretty when doing basically the same thing. I have had a chance to play with the Automator a lot, definitely not for anyone but the more technical OSX users, the same can be said for any Windows-based macro solution. Simple? yes, only if you are willing to learn how to use it which the average user is not. Macros are really not for people that just want to use their computer anyways. Complexity is not "complicated", just because a lot of Windows apps have more advanced settings (things which many Apple apps don't have, iDVD for example.) doesn't mean that you have to use them.
To say that custom built PCs are the best performance is also wrong. In the world of custom built PCs there is always the chance of incompatibility with different configurations. Granted, with the right configuration and if all the drivers and software play nice you can and will have a really decent system. You also have control of the parts that go into a custom build so typically they are higher quality.
The reason many people build custom PCs is the price vs performance. In the world of custom built computers it takes informed decisions to make sure you don't get incompatibilities. Custom built computers are inherently cheaper because you have much less of a mark-up on the price. Even the crappy $400 emachines at walmart can be built for less.
To break it down for you since no one can apparently read specs on laptops, Apple only uses high quality parts. They for one use high quality LED LCD screens, which most PC laptops don't use. If you go build a Dell laptop spec for spec to a Mac they are very comparable in price. Adding the LED LCD high resolution screen typically adds about $350ish to the price tag. Now add things like ABGN wireless. Not all cards have A radios. Most of them are B/G. That adds to cost. Built in isight camera, bluetooth 2.0 EDR, back lit keyboard (pros only), SMS sensor, remote control, the fact that it is 1" thick, and then to top it all off, the software that comes with. Add all of those features to a PC and it will cost you loads more than a Mac would.
I agree about part quality in Macs but that is because the cheapest mac lappys are already $1100 at the lowest. Here is what $1100 buys you:
2.1Ghz C2D
1GB RAM (not even DDR2-800 but DDR2-667)
120GB Hard Drive
Not exactly a speed demon.
I couldn't care less about how thick a laptop is because the laptop case is always going to be bigger because you have to carry around all of your accessories and power adapter. Oh and with that $1100, no software comes with it. No iWork, FCE, etc.. iZilch
Now look at longevity. Macs that are 6 years old can run Leopard, and they can run it pretty well. I recently sold my G4 which was running Leopard with no problems. That G4 was around 6 years old. Tell me what PC that is 6 years old that can run Vista? Apple designs every aspect of their systems. From the hardware, the printed circuit boards, all the way up to the OS and a lot of applications. When you have that much control over the design of your systems, you typically have more quality.
Vista actually has roughly the same minimum specs as OSX and as long as you have a decent amount of RAM, I don't see why Vista wouldn't run on a 6 year old computer, of course not with Aero but Aero was made to take advantage of the graphics power of modern computers, not ancient ones. Also, once your computer is running an OS it will continue to run that OS, its not like as your computer gets older it somehow just loses the performance it had. The fact that Apple has so much control over their stuff is what irks me because I like tweaking things and doing stuff my way, thats why mine and everyone in my family that has a computer, has a computer built by me and no one has called me about issues with it, not even my grandmother.
Microsoft can't possibly design their OS to run specifically for every hardware configuration out there, that would not really be possible. So, they have a lot more third party. Windows actually can't do more than OS X, unless you are specifically talking about third party. Windows machines have more third party options, but that does not make Windows better. Quantity does not equal quality. Plus there is nothing Windows can do that a Mac can not, and vice versa.
The quantity does not equal quality doesn't actual measure up because not every app is a "quality" app. By having a larger user base, you actually have more chances of someone producing a high-quality app. Specifically from a third-party stance Windows can do more but not in a practical sense, it can do more in the face that someone, somewhere has made an app that is so specific to a certain group of people that it is very unlikely that it is multi-platform, this matters to me because I am often looking for very obscure software that probably wouldn't exist for OSX.
So, really it depends on your preference, and what you want to do. You want a hassle free computer that is easy to use and just works and will last you at least 4 years if not longer then maybe look into getting a Mac. The only reason I sold my G4 is because I also have a G5 desktop and I wanted money to buy something else. Macs hold their resell value and I sold my G4 that was 5-6 years old for $400. You can't do that with a PC either.
Well considering they start out priced so high, of course they will sell for higher than PCs later on. Also, it is in the consumer mindset that Macs are expensive so you are more likely to get a good price for it if they "think" they are getting a bargain.
If you want to build a computer then get a PC. You can kind of build a Mac but by the time you buy all the parts you'd be spending way too much money. If you want to be a hardcore gamer, then build a PC. If you want to just surf the web, do office documents and listen to music then maybe a Mac or a PC would work.
Not really.
http://lifehacker.com/software/hack-attack/build-a-hackintosh-mac-for-under-800-321913.php
illegal? thanks to Apple. Awesome? yup
Also, if you just want to do office docs, listen to music....wouldn't you want the cheapest option since even 10 year old crappy PCs can do that. I just recently built my mom a computer from newegg for almost exactly $300 that has a 2.6 Ghz E2180 (OCd it a tad), 1GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive.
basically it is the Power Users that rant and rave (im guilty) about their OS of choice because we Power Users are smart enough to make do with the resources given so we will always find ways of doing what their needs are. All power-users know how to get those obscure pieces of freeware and good old open-source projects. It is the power user that drives the hype.
I love Windows but even though it may have sounded like it, I don't hate Macs, they are exceedingly easy to use for basic things but if you want to go past the basics (things that even Ubuntu can do) you MUST get your hands dirty. Final Cut Pro (love it BTW) is just as easy to use as Adobe Premiere (love it as well).
I am biased for the sole fact that I like getting a bargain and the most for my money. If I had a lot of cash to blow, I would love to be both a Mac and PC user.
P), I can hold my big, bulky lappy on my left arm extended for hours at once, size/weight is no consideration for me. If it matters to you, you may want to get the macbook.