I'm a partner in a small consulting company that is also a Microsoft Gold Partner. My specialty is with Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange. Until recently, Windows is the only GUI based OS I have used since 1993.
Like most non-Mac users, I was ignorant. I scoffed at all the fan boys waiting for their iPhones last year and was sickened by the thought of owning one. Then, in August, my wife bought one as a gift for me and I was forced to use it. My eyes immediately opened to the potential of Apple design.
When my mother in law needed a new machine, I did some research and determined that a Mac would be right for her. I learned a lot about the OS while configuring it for her, but found myself in foreign territory and way out of my comfort zone.
After the disaster that was Vista, I decided to try a Mac. What I have discovered is that it won't do everything a PC will do, but what it does do is done very, very well. As the dominant platform, the PC enjoys more participation from the development community and, therefore, more options. I think this will change as Apple continue to builds momentum and market share.
Unfortunately, what makes the PC a more flexible platform is also it's downfall. It's just as easy to write malware as it is to write a productivity app.
As for configuration options, it seems to me that OS X offers more than enough if you know what you're doing. Most of the advanced options you have in Windows are limited to the soon to be retired registry. Both platforms have solid automation platforms. AppleScript is more intuitive, but Microsoft has more options.
While each platform has unique advantages, I believe that the Macintosh is, in every way, what a computer should be. It's a device that lets you focus on productivity and entertainment without worrying about the underlying engine. This can be a boring option for those who like to constantly tinker, and this is why PCs exist.
I have several PCs and a Mac Pro. My Mac has become my favorite, but I can't see myself without a PC.
