I am a Windows user. I didn't buy a PC with Windows because it was cheaper or because I had to for work. In fact, my desktop is a higher end $2000 Dell model and my laptop (for travel) is a $2,000 Sony ultralight model. I work at a university and I could use either a Mac or a PC.

I've tried Macs. I worked for a while as a student for someone who was a Mac-phile and used one to do my job. I have friends, coworkers, and students that have Macs. I've been to an Apple store several times and sat in front of various Mac versions for 30 minutes or so at a time.

I have always chosen Windows over Mac. Frankly, I don't see what is so special about Macs. The desktop and GUI is almost embarrassingly cutsie and cartoonish. The performance and price are similar to what you get with PC (assuming you don't go for the budget PC versions). The Macs don't run a lot of specialized software I need to use. Mac desktops are more reliable than most PCs. However, their laptops are less reliable than most PC versions. I understand that some find the GUI enchanting, but I just don't get it. It all seems like a lot of slick marketing to me. I don't see any real advantage of Mac over PC, while the software limitations of Mac vs a PC are a real disadvantage (at least for me). It was probably true sometime in the past (~15 years ago), that Mac had advantages in stability and graphics over Windows, but that advantage is long since gone.

I also think that many Mac users mistakenly equal style with substance. Having a stylish tool doesn't matter if you can't use it to turn out work that is better. Computers are tools, not playthings. Obsessing over the style of your plastic box or GUI graphics is just a waste of time. Don't you have some work to do?