They don't factor in the cost of the psychotherapy you will need to pay for after using Windows Vista for two weeks!!
Yup PC life suck....
Apple ownership is a little more involved though....
Once you get an apple you will be compelled to speculate for months about an upcoming refresh, watch the keynotes with excitement, refresh the browser hundreds of times while the Apple store is down, just to see minor updates to a product you already own.....but for some reason you will really be compelled to buy it.... cost never being a factor... Naturally the new product will look cooler then the previous one.
And this is where the really tough decision comes.
A: do you b!tch about the minor update, because through all those month of speculating the community had build a SUPER computer in their assumption... and there is still no freakin Blue ray!!!
B: Defend the refresh to death, call all those in camp A: whiners!!
And as a rule, at all times you when you make reference to Vista, at least one of these words must be included when you post "Virus, BSOD, crap, *****, sucks, CPU intensive, Failed HD, Cheap etc. Having actually used Vista is optional.... not recommended in fact.
If at all possible, mention how getting a Mac has changed your life for the better.
At NO! NO! NO! point, even dare to think/acknowledge that you are in fact IT challenged (being diplomatic here), and require a computer that is as easy to operate as your TV (but not one with one of those complicated VCRs).
If you happen to be a university student, BIG bonus points, you have all the experience in the world to claim how Macs are so much better then PCs, you are after all the coolest student in class with a $3K laptop. The reality check comes when you graduate, get a real job, and suddenly your using a PC to make you living (unless your moved into multimedia).
On a more serious note. For home use, I believe that Macs are better, but they are not for the poor, and frankly the worst investment you can make is in IT gear, a smart person who had $3000 would get a $700 laptop and invest $2300 right now. Its something you get when your financially doing well, knowing that it will be worth bugger all in 5 years and do not mind throwing money at it. Smart move by Microsoft on this. There are so many people getting layed off these days, if your not sure about your position at work, you would be silly to throw $3K at a laptop..... the $700 PC will allow you to redo your CV just fine. Having said that.... I just bought a Mac Mini.... I wish i had more common sense.... but I feel cooler already....