I build my own custom PCs, but will still always use a Mac for most general purpose tasks.

Since the late 80s, I've owned a Mac 512k, Mac SE, Mac LCIII, PowerMax 603e, StarMax 603, PowerBook G4 Ti and am currently still using a PowerBook Al G4 for portable tasks.

It's almost 6 years old and still runs more reliably than any PC I've used, OEM or built. Still looks and runs like new.

Since 2001, own an original 5GB iPod, 30GB 3G iPod, 2GB Nano, 20GB 5G iPod and 3G iPhone.

Waiting for the next update to the MacBook lineup. If the i7 based laptop rumors are true, that's when I'll buy.

Otherwise, I'll be buying an inexpensive Asus laptop with good discrete video running Windows 7 and will buy another Mac once the i7s are available outside of the Mac Pros.

YO and a cert tech... ill post more in a bit .... busy for the sec

edit .... man lots of in here, I am surprised it took so long to get a new unit rule of thumb for apple is generally two send away repairs or 3 in sotre/local repairs and you get a new unit, I know a few people who bought first gen macbook pros that had to have swaps with later units,  Im not one of them, but understand the issue 

Nope never had a mac...way way to expensive for me...

Macs are upgradable, but pretty limited depending on their design. Recent models have been getting less upgradeable as Apple focuses on things like form factor at the expense of accessibility. In general, the towers are very upgradeable, while laptops and consumer models like the iMac and Mac Mini have less upgrade potential and the components are hard to get at. RAM and drives are pretty much always replaceable (though not always easy to get at), while processor and video card are hard/impossible to upgrade.

For the most part, you can use standard PC parts to upgrade, with a few exceptions. Some optical drives don't have proper Mac drivers, and at one point, the aluminum towers were picky about what RAM they used (not sure if this problem exists in recent models).

What to do with an old Mac? Keep using it as an internet machine, workstation, media center. They have a pretty long functional lifespan without upgrades, as long as you don't need the latest muscle for your work.

On topic, I've owned a blueberry iMac, G3 tower, G4 Mac Mini, and just picked up an Intel Mini. The iMac's optical drive failed after four years or so, so I replaced it myself. Other than that and a cheap hard drive I installed in the tower which later failed, no hardware problems so far.

I've had a mac for over 2 years now and never had a problem with it. I think you got a dud. Go to Job's house and yell at him.

I own macs since 2003, never had any problems. I will never come back ho Win.

Yup I've had a Mac since Aug 08 and It hasnt given me any problems so far. I do however want to reformat it since I just finished the school year but I lost my CD :( Gots to call Apple care I guess

Wow this site full of apple users! Thanks everyone for letting me know about your mac. I figured I was just unlucky with incredibly bad lemon that they didn't want to give up on.

Kzoellner said: Naum said: I have never had Mac... now that I think of it I have never even seen a Mac outside the movies   From my understanding from reading other forums it seems they are only big in america.  Ppl who travel and have problems are screwed since the lack international support.  Never-less most outstanding quote

macs are decently popular here as of late. I never had one or used one.. but i know of a few who has one. Also thers Apple "house" or whatever.. fancy apple stores lol.

Staude said: Kzoellner said: Naum said: I have never had Mac... now that I think of it I have never even seen a Mac outside the movies   From my understanding from reading other forums it seems they are only big in america.  Ppl who travel and have problems are screwed since the lack international support.  Never-less most outstanding quote macs are decently popular here as of late. I never had one or used one.. but i know of a few who has one. Also thers Apple "house" or whatever.. fancy apple stores lol.

actually, i find that macs have much better internal international support than pcs. as far as foriegn text and typing goes. no squares and x's with macs