As posted in several threads, Macs have a longer useful life than Windows PCs. Buy used. You'll get the same performance, etc., that you'd get with a bargain PC.

There is a large third group: those who are required to use Windows for work, therefore are familiar with it, and therefore use it at home as well.

Personally: I have a PhD in an offshoot of computer science from a fairly well-known engineering school in Cambridge, Mass.; have been a Unix trainer; currently teach (among other things) Access, which requires Windows; and otherwise have fairly decent tech-geek cred. When I have a choice, I use a Mac. It's much better integrated. My time, when I charge for it, is too valuable for me to waste screwing around with Windows - which I'm quite able to do at any necessary level. It's just not a productive use of my time when I have a choice. (When I'm not being paid for my time, it's even more valuable. Why would I waste it trying to get an OS to do what I think it should, when another OS is happy to do that from the get-go?)

Even if you buy a new Mac, and even if you accept the position that it's more expensive than a comparable non-Apple computer would be (arguable anywhere above the lowest price level, which involves compromises many won't accept), you'll come out ahead if you factor in the value of your time over the years you'll use any new computer you get.