Apple in general is just plain not a very friendly company. They were very innovative back in the day, but refused to share any of their technology. PCs are owned by a community now, instead of a general company. Of course they have some minor beneifits, for instance they develope their software specifically for what hardware they run. And they might look good, depending on your style (I don't like them, looks like something they would use to decorate in Qweer Eye). But as for speed, and ease of use, that is all heresay. There are major factors to consider.
As far as I know, you cannot build your own Mac. If you can, you don't have a whole lot of hardware choices, so it would be pretty pointless. That said, most Macs ARE faster than a Dell or whatever pre-built POS your buying. However, you cannot compare a Mac to a custom built machine. MOst customs will blow Macs out of the water. If you could run any MacOS on a custom, then it would most likely run faster.
Which brings me to the actual OS. MacOS loads faster and runs faster because of it doesn't load as much into upon startup. Which is because of its lack of flexability and, well...... overall usefulness. Some may say it's easier to use than Windows or Linux. That again depends on what you prefer. I was in school when Macintosh had a deal with the school system. I had to use one of those god-awful things everyday, but then I started using Win98 and prefered it much more. People just plain prefer different things. As far as design, you cannot compare OS's. It's all based on preference. But as for as functionality, flexibility, and overall quality, Mac loses.
I would like to say this is an unbiased remark, but I have to say, when I see those new Macintosh commercials, I want to drive an axe through my T.V. As far as I am concerned, they are the Evil Empire.
As for all of you PC users who bought I-Pods:
I TOLD YOU SO!!!
I KNEW Apple was just using the I-Pod for funding for another invasion! I told them, but noooooo. They called me crazy! But whos crazy now?!?! Buwahahahah! First the I-POd comes out, the first I have heard from Apple in years. Suspicions rise, then Intel moves in and goes all buddy-buddy with 'em. Then I saw what was coming. I tried to warn you! THE END IS NEIGH! I told you to wait! Microsoft would come out with the I-POd killer (and they are). But you couldn't wait! You threw out your 500-song MP3 player and got a doohicky that could hold 1000. Then you just needed 998 more songs to PUT IN IT! Damn you people. THE APOCALIPSE WILL BE LAID ON YOUR SHOULDERS!!!
Thank-you.
We're all DOOMED!