I don't think a mac would be any more reliable
The one thing I tell my customers when they're debating Mac vs PC for music production, relates to reliability. When software and hardware manufacturers test for bugs on their products, it's almost impossible to test all combinations of hardware and other software on a PC. There are just too many variables to be properly proactive.
However on a Mac, there is a smaller handful of units to test for. Plus, the same company makes the hardware and the operating system. It is for these reasons why Mac is theoretically more reliable. You could consider this when making your decision - not to mention that Macs almost never get viruses.
When I list my complaints about the MBP, I'm comparing it to a PC standpoint. It's still better than most if not all of the PC laptops I've owned. You're right though, the operating system is the big thing. It absolutely kills Windows hands down. A funny story I'd like to add regarding my new Microsoft Bluetooth mouse. I plugged it in and it worked instantly on Mac OSX, but I couldn't get it to work in Windows even though Windows detected it was there. I followed the instructions perfectly. That incident reminded me of why I chose Mac.
Glossy screens achieve deeper blacks and better-looking colors. Thats why just about every type of flat-panel display has gone glossy...tvs, notebooks, desktop monitors, etc. I'm guessing that Apple made this decision based on market research...people like glossy. In fact, I remember Jobs saying, "People love glossy displays" when the new iMac was 1st introduced. The previous gen MBP matte option was likely available to see which sold better, and guess what? I bet the glossy screens sold so much better that it didn't make sense to continue offering them. I'm sure the folks at Apple had many long meetings before this decision was made. The glossy revolution is industry-wide and isn't going away soon. Anyway, there's clearly a market for glare-reduction add-ons, and I'm sure we'll see some more options soon.
Sorry but i have to add my not-so-humble opinion here - and people may disagree or outright reject what i have to say so take it for what it's worth. IMO, glossy screens are for consumer computers and for those who are persuaded by curb appeal and not practicality. IMO (again) glossy screens are great for watching movies, and playing video games (consumer stuff) but not as good as a professional tool. It artificially hypes the colours and makes things harder to see. In the 90s we would buy big, ugly anti-glare shields for our monitors to stop this from happening. Now we're voluntarily adding this to our displays? Honestly, the next time you pick up a book and read it, take a pane of glass and put it over the book and see if it makes things easier to read. Probably not. Because the glossy screens appeal more to consumers (which is a larger demographic) compared to professionals, they can make more money and sell more units.
To further the debate of the designs of apple (I'm sorry but I'm trying to look at things objectively rather than simply love everything apple does), I'd like to comment on their new cinema screens. Yesterday I got fed up with my work area and wanted to increase its functionality and efficiency. After getting used to the glossy screen on my MBP I thought it would advantageous to pick up the 24" cinema so I could use the "docking" features. Well, i get the thing home and put it on my desk. It is absolutely HUGE! It seems however with glossy screens that the larger it is, the more it's affected by glare (the glossy screens on the 13" hardly bother me at all). I can hardly use this thing without closing my blinds. It's almost like sitting in front of a mirror when the screen is off. My 20" matte cinema can be used even with the blinds raised - no problem. However at night, it's awesome for playing games and watching movies! I really liked the fact that it had internal stereo speakers and an internal power supply (a cinema screen doesn't have to be THAT thin Apple - balance functionality with design please!!).
I'd really like if Apple made a 20" cinema with the same features. The 24" dwarfs everything else on my desk and more looks like an entertainment center than a workspace. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it yet as it really isn't necessary to have a 24" screen to do what I do. I'd rather take the $999 (CDN) and buy a new HD tv for the living room!
I'm not sure why Apple is obsessed with size. I thought the 17" iMacs were perfect for the desktop. If your computer is supplemental to your work, why would you need to waste such a big footprint with a 20"? Seems a little too Freudian to me - that bigger is always better. I thought the 12" Powerbook was one of the coolest laptops ever made.
To each their own I always say. There are different groups competing for the features that suits them the best. Therefore people might not always get what they want and you will always have unsatisfied customers.
I guess we weren't really doing anything important in the publishing world... thank God Apple rescued us with glossy, reflecto screens..! 
