Most of the Apple hate on here is from kids trying to fit in (this is a generalization, I'm not referring to OP). OSX is actually a very stable advanced operating system based on a modified BSD kernel. The system API through Objective-C is really nice and they provided wonderful development tools. They make very high quality external hardware and peripherals as well. Aside from wanting to run a few select applications (for engineering etc, though my field has lots of good Mac tools) or gaming (I'm no gamer so I suppose it works), there really is no problem with compatibility. Good processors and a fair amount of memory can be installed as well. If Macbooks weren't so damn expensive I would definitely own one. I feel (only a speculation) as if a lot of the price comes from the machining process of milling out the main chassis of their computer cases from a single block of metal. You're paying for what is cut out and isn't used in the final product.