The most infallible argument for owning a Mac really is that it just works. The stuff generally works better, is designed better, crashes far far less, etc. While I've long been entertained by the Cult of Mac, I've been a Mac devotee for 17 years now for the simple reason that they work better than Windows. More functionality is good. Streaming audio is good too... heh. Not that the software is perfect, but it's all meant to be clean and integrated. I'm regularly amazed at the amount of software maintenance Windows users accept as routine. Buy a Dell when you find a copy of Windows that'll require exactly no backup, restoring, registry tweaking, driver installing, for at least three years. Oh, and remain spyware-free, adware-free, no slowdowns, no difficulties with system updates, etc. Come to think of it though, don't buy a Dell anyways. They make crappy hardware.
512 Mb of RAM is decent, at least for basic apps. Having a gig or so would be better. Something about UNIX does tend to result in programs taking up lots of memory. Of course, if you don't really have enough, you'll just start to see slowdown as memory is paged out to the drive. Easily remedied by yourself with a trip to someplace like
datamem where you can buy upgrades for as little as $60. No big deal to install, the only trouble I had with my wife's machine was finding a small enough screwdriver. I don't understand why Apple charges so much for memory upgrades... it's not uncommon for companies that sell product through many retailers to charge more for add-ons through their own stores than other retailers though. I think it's because they figure anyone who insists on buying direct from manufacturer isn't interested in price shopping.
The Apple Store here was running a deal called Buy a computer, get a human too. Any new computer purchase, or purchase of Tiger, and you got to spend an hour one-on-one with one of their people learning how to operate the OS. Even if they're no longer running that deal per se, I have no doubt that you can get a half-hour or more out of them just by asking. FYI, the Mac version of ctrl-alt-del is cmd-opt-esc. Cmd being the key right next to the space bar with the loop-de-loop icon on it, is often used where Winderz uses ctrl. Likewise, we have option instead of alt. Of course, you almost never actually need to use that set of keystrokes, due to the low frequency of Mac apps actually hanging (well, except that Quicktime doesn't like poorly encoded .avi files, so *cough* don't download free porn). Also, there's lots of friendly Mac people out there willing to help folks who are having trouble.
My wife's PB 12" does run rather hot, but only when flogging the processor. Some numbers: In a room at 75F/24C, my G5 at continuous maxed processor load holds at 125/52. Her G4 also at full load runs at 134/57. When the room temp was up around 84/29, my G5 stayed the same with a bit more fan, her PB inched up to 142/61. Neither of the machines ever runs their fan(s) at full speed. I guess the PBs are uncomfortable to have on the lap directly, but the fans don't seem to be programmed to keep the chip below 140/60. I'm sure that Apple would replace your motherboard if your chip were to try due to overheating, unless of course it shows signs of being baked. And even the PB that woman put in her oven worked with an external monitor....
By viruses, do you mean if you blow snot all over your processor? Because here in Mac world, viruses aren't much of a problem. Can't helkp you on their pixel policy... my recommendation is to go to a bricks 'n' mortar store to buy your machine, and ask to see the screen working before you take it home. They'll want you to buy one before they go ripping boxes open... but if the first one out of the box doesn't meet your standards, have them drag another one out for you.
