Both Windows 7 and MacOS X Lion have their uses. But for sheer volume of software available Windows wins hands down but there are some things that MacOS does better. Either way it's a matter of choice. Myself i prefer to use Windows based computers rather than an Apple because they are far more cost effective and i refuse to pay for mediocre technology branded with a half eaten apple and charged a premium.

The real interesting one IMO will be Windows 8 vs Windows 7.  Will people embrace Windows 8 or will there be howls of protest and people digging in their heels about upgrading...

Glad to have my recent purchasing decision validated.  At least a little.

I've never used a Mac so would like to play around with one... and not just an in-store test run.  No, I'd like to have one set up on my desk at home, and I had been meaning to get one one day, it's just that other stuff seemed to get priority and the Mac went on the back burner. 

One concern I have with Apple products is that they are manufactured in China and workers are exploited to maximise profits while prices remain high.  That pisses me off, but then, much of what goes into a PC is made that way also... and you can't boycott them all if you want/need to use the technology.

If and When I get one, however, I was thinking that I'd probably go with the mac-mini rather than the full on thing, but who knows. While that option may be more cost effective, it does not provide the entire Mac experience, as such.  In any event, it will have to wait until mrs s gets her car... being I already dipped into that fund to buy her a camera.

Being a Mac Tech at one time, and yet building my custom PC with Windows 7, I have a unique perspective on both systems...

I believe that if someone has never used a computer before, then a Mac will be easier for them to learn.  But if someone is already versed in computers, the Windows machine will be better.

As far as hardware.... they are technically both the same.  Both use Intel chips, both use AMD or InVidea, both use Foxconn boards, both use segate, fugitsu, or maxtor HD's, and both are Samsung monitors. 

However, the quality control on Apples are much higher than PC's in general.  And the Driver conflicts are almost nonexistent on Macs.  Apple's "just work"  and Window's need some customizing to work well.

But to get the cutting edge, Windows support new technology first, while Apple integrates it better first.

And then there is the price tag... Windows wins on Hardware, Apple wins on Software.  

I think I would still pick a Windows machine over an Apple one.... but it is close.  If I were filthy rich, I would probably be all Mac.

FYI, I use a custom Windows 7 machine that is probably worth $3500 retail with dual monitors, tablet and pen input and full surround sound; use an iPhone 3GS; and have a Macbook Pro laptop.  So yeah, I guess I'm a multilingual computer junky

ah the 486 ... I remember over clocking those with a graphite pencil just to play StarCraft I.

I seem to remember always having an hour or so of 'LAN Settings What?!' needing to be fixed some how or some way to get all of 8 of us in the same game of StarCraft.

To get things done and play games, I need a Win7. To read mails, watch videos and surf online, I use a MacBook Pro.