having just switched to mac after being a PC fanboy for years i would have to say i would almost never go back to a PC/windows. It has not crashed once although a few of the programs have ironically the ones made by windows for mac(msn,office, etc.).

One disadvantage to the Mac however is the lack of games that will run on it which really kept me on Windows for so long, however with the newer intel based macs you can have a seperate windows partition for this. I chose to have a 10gb partition and i run all of my games off an external hard drive. Im not really sure as to wether or not this is my imagination or not but since using windows on a mac it seems to run smoother then it ever did for me on a PC.

So in my opinion I would have to say a Mac with Tiger and windows installed on it if the best way to go and that way you end up getting the best of both worlds.

Macbook Pro:
2.33ghz core duo 2
2gb RAM
120GB HDD

I'm running an Apple, too, although it's a MacBook, not a MacBook Pro. Have to say I've been pretty happy with it so far, although the lack of games does limit you, and running Windows requires you to buy a seperate copy of Windows XP. But it's been pretty much bug free, and very easy to use.

PCs strengths are in business, gaming, and fairly cheap. There is basically no such thing as a low-end Mac, PCs on the other hand, can be bought for just about any budget. They also tend to be more business-oriented, especially since Windows XP was written with the corporate crowd in mind.

Just to add on to what everybody else said (I also am an Apple user):

1) I agree with waht everyone else upstairs has said. I'm using a 15" Macbook Pro and it's been wonderful the entire time. It's never crashed. Also, I'm not too much of a gamer, but it is true, there arn't as many games for Mac, and overall, games will run better on a PC.

One of the downsides to Apple, IMO, is the lack of diverse software. I recall (back when I had a PC), I could usually find 15 different programs to do the same obscure job. At the same time, there might be only 1 or 2 for Apple to do the same thing. At the same time, though, the programs written for Apple are expertly done, usually.

One of strengths of Apples are that they are top notch for music, pictures, and videos. In other words, if it involves any media, Apple's youre choice.

At the same time, Microsoft is youre choice for most things work-related. I cant lie...if I'm writing a big paper or something that is work-related, I'll switch back and use my old PC for a bit.

Another plus about Macs is that they are virutally immune to virus/spyware/etc. Yes, there are many reasons...but let's not start that argument now.

A well build PC will generally be more powerful then an Apple one. For me, at least, a big downside to Apple was that you have to put it on an Apple machine. In other words, you can't legally install it on a PC, or anything that you build.

Finally (sorry, this is wayyy too long), I would reccomend (if you buy an Apple) to use BootCamp and either dual boot (use both OSs) or buy Virtual PC. This allows you to run Windows inside youre Apple.

Thanks.

hmmm, yea i defo agree with all comments,
i love the fact that u can have windows too on a mac should u need to and it certainly solves the gamers problem too!
one thing i would like to chuck in the discussion tho is a question i get asked alot by friends of mine who are soo anti mac like u wouldnt believe..
"why is there only one mouse button!"
to which i reply, u can buy one with 2 buttons if u wanted to, but they always ask, why does apple not just have their mice with 2 buttons in the first place?
i wonder what your opinions are on this issue?

Apple designed their interface so it could be used almost entirely with one mouse button. They wanted to make operating their computers as simple as possible. While many manufacturers try to cram on as many buttons onto their devices as possible, Apple tries to simplify things by providing as few buttons as possible. Just look at the iPod for a good example.

For me as power user, I find it an inconvenience that I have to go out and buy a 2-button mouse. However, I agree with Apple, if I were trying to teach my grandmother to use a computer, I would most certainly choose a 1-button mouse to avoid confusion.

Waiit, if you plug a 2-button mouse into a mac, it works?

I might have to check into this...

i would definately get a macbook (they look so cool) but thier pricey. Main thing that put me off was compatibilty but am i right in believeng that if i sue my full copy of XP and bootcamp i can boot into a full windows environment?

Yes, that is correct. Apple even sells a 2-button mouse (well, actually a bit more) dubbed the "Mighty Mouse". It's now wireless thanks to Apple. You can actually emulate a right-click in Mac OS X by holding down the Control key while you click, which will bring up a contextual menu in most applications, including the Finder. First Person Shooter games also take advantage of a 2-button mouse on Mac OS X.

Yes, as long as your copy of Windows XP is Service Pack 2 or later, and to do it legally, you must have a license to install the copy of XP on more than 1 computer.

does server 2003 or 2000 run?
there the only full version (non oem/upgrade) software i got a copy of