newbie on mac, need some help.

1. Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is the current maximum OS, but you can start with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, which you can get for 29 USD from the Apple Online Store.
You can then perform a Clean Install with that.

To create a Clean Install (formerly known as Erase & Install) of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (the 29 USD Upgrade DVD is a fully working retail version of Mac OS X and does not need a prior installation of Mac OS X on the Mac), follow one of the following guides:

• Short version: Clean Install of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
• Long version: Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard: How to Erase and Install

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2. see above
3. Booting Windows on the Mac
You mean, if the Dell is better than the MBP? If so, specwise the Dell is a but faster, but since it has Windows, I am not a good judge, as I don't use Windows as main OS anymore and hopefully never will.

To learn more about Mac OS X: Helpful Information for Any Mac User by GGJstudios​

 

Helpful Information for Any Mac User
Portables Fast Start: The New User's Guide to Apple Notebooks

You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM and maximum OS version:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By selecting your model on the Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool to find RAM information
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model.
  (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac to verify actual usable RAM.)

Contact Apple for replacement install discs.

To run Windows apps on your Mac, you need to install Windows via Boot Camp or use Parallels or VMware Fusion.

If you don't have a Windows license, you can use CrossOver to run some applications. Not all Windows apps are compatible with CrossOver. Check their site for compatible apps.

For more information about running Windows on your Mac, check out the Windows on the Mac forum.

 

Look here for good newbie info. This helped me a lot.

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Man, you're fast!

 

Don't contact resellers. Contact Apple.

 

Here is a link to putting lion on a dvd or thumb drive. It worked perfectly for me. When I sold my iMac I gave the buyer a burned DVD of Lion. They were very grateful.

http://lifehacker.com/5823096/how-to-burn-your-own-lion-install-dvd-or-flash-drive

 

No problem!! Glad you found it useful.