Simply put-- a Microsoft Windows computer, in the vast majority of cases, will deliver more power, versatility and performance for the money than a comparably priced Mac. That's it; that's the truth. If you want to pay a lot of money for the pretty shell, for the pretty pictures in the OS, or so that you can have a personality surrogate that you think makes you cool. But a Windows computer, most of the time, delivers more for less money. Those of us who value utility over cults of personality and the desire to have status objects-- you know, mass-produced commodities that are owned by millions and yet somehow are supposed to denote "artiness" or cool-- will continue to buy more versatile, more powerful computers with our money. What we could without is less hectoring from people who need to buy something pretty to prove to themselves and others how special they are. Just leave us alone, thanks.

If you're so satisfied, why does an article like this drive you to respond with petty allegations. You don't sound like someone who is happy when you sneer about a "pretty shell, for the pretty pictures," or refer to your imagined opposition as a "cult." You sound jealous and angry.

What do you think is more disqualifying of being taken seriously? Responding to a ludicrously sycophantic article with some passionate language, or replying to each and every contrary opinion with allegations of bad faith and petty insults?

Well...technically it is a cult of personality, which surrounds Steve Jobs. Name one other computing company, for whom consumers refer to themselves as "acolytes"? It's not a matter of jealousy; it is a matter of being angry with people who are disillusioned from reality, and being really freaked out by a company whose culture borders on zealotry.

You're right.

I am a little angry that Mac users constantly belittle and talk down to their PC counterparts. I value power and flexibility. I like using spreadsheets. And, yes, I like the fact that I can buy a much better PC than a Mac for the same amount of money.

The reason we call it the "iCult" is because so many Mac users respond in such a emotional and overblown way to a reasonable critique of their products. My best friend recently bought a Mac, and the main selling point was that it was "sexy." (Also, it came in purple with a little camera.) Like it or not, this is a big chunk of the Mac customer base. Getting upset when PC users identify this as one of the primary draws of Apple products is little silly.