Why Linux? 

Well, in stof's case, I think I can answer for him: He simply prefers how Macs work over Wintels because he was brought up with Macs, and if there is one thing I've always noticed, it's that people who are well-versed with Macs hate the way Windows works, and people well-versed with Windows hate the way Macs work.

Do you have any relative or friends that are students? The low-end Macbook Pro is only $1999CDN for students, and comes with a free 4GB Nano after Apples' Mail-in-rebate. Sell the Nano for $200 off, brings that down to $1799 ignoring taxes.

The MBP is all around a much better notebook, and comes with a real video card - 128MB Nvidia 8600M GT. If you have a copy of Windows, use boot camp to dual boot and it becomes a very capable gaming notebook. It weighs only 0.2lb more than the Macbook despite the much larger screen.

Definitely not worth it for the ram upgrade (it usually never is from the OEM). The Macbooks use the same DDR2-667 sodimms as everyone else, you could pick up 2x1GB sticks for under $80CDN (link)

I don't know, even though I grew up with a mac at home, I still used windows at friends houses and school, and I have spent the last 6 years on windows... It just doesn't... It's not... I've learned how to use it quote efficiently, but I still haven't learned to like it.  On the other hand, I know several people who have taken the mac plunge (all Macbooks, by the way) and after a few weeks of getting used to Mac OS, they really like the system a lot more than windows.

i'm yearning for a mac too... but only since they switched over to the intel chips since now it's possible to install windows on them. so i can make it triple-boot linux, windows and mac os... running windows on mac, i just think that's the coolest thing. utility-wise, no reason for me to get a mac, but i do like their monitors a lot.

eventuallymy wife would probably get one. she's been getting my hand-me-downs in laptops...

There will always be exceptions to the rule - I know of some people who are exactly the opposite.

not surprising, i ask a question he gets his panties in a bunch (over somethign NOt directed at him) i anwser.  You bitch about me, Go bias!

Wow how can you possibly like Macs? That means you must be different than me or something. Thats weird. I thought everyone liked windows because you get free software (viruses) from all your friends and it even has a quick-shutdown function (crashing), not to mention Vista is awesome (its not).

I'm typing this from a macbook pro, soo...

Don't buy the 1gb of RAM from Apple as its overpriced. Instead, buy 1gb ram from newegg for considerably less. For the MBP apple uses Crucial brand RAM, so I was able to get the exact same stick of ram for $100 less. Research what type of RAM the MB is currently using, or just wait till you have it in your hands and look at the type. And I dont know how hard it is to install in the MB, but the MBP was easy as pie.

#2. You won't be able to run many games with integrated graphics, especially current ones. However, I do beleive that card is the lowest spec that supports aero in vista - for what its worth. Plus some external graphics cards for laptops are starting to come onto the market, so that may be an alternative worth looking at.

lol sorry. I have 1gb of memory and I feel that is enough, but if you can afford the 2gb then go for it.

i'm not really sure about the 2nd question, though. sorry