I just got one this past week. Im running parallels with XP in a virtualization mode as well as Mac OS. It is fantastic. I can also run X11 applications on it which Im still exploring. It is a great machine.

I'm ready to buy my first MAC !
The last question :

an MacBook or MacBook PRO ?

It is really an issue of how you will use it and personal preference. For me, the somewhat smaller size of the MacBook was the selling point. I got the loaded up (2 gb RAM, 200 GB drive) version of the black (faster processor) MacBook with the 13 inch screen. The 15 inch was bigger than I wanted to carry around a lot.

My Macbook Pro was getting repaired last week so I was using our white Macbook. Same processor specs, same amount of memory, same hard drive. I found it significantly slower and frustrating to use. It didn't feel "snappy". I guess I got use to the higher resolution of the MacBook Pro and the extra speed, possibly from the upgraded graphics card.

Wirelessly posted (Palm Treo 700p: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D052; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

You will never look back once you switch. I switched back to Mac two years ago (after having a PC at home for games) by buying a 15-inch PBG4, and just replaced that with a new Rev. C 15-inch MacBook Pro. It is like night and day - in those two years I could count the number of hard crashes on one hand and have fingers (plural) left over. I had that many crashes a day sometimes on my PC - it would die if I breathed on it wrong. Stability is refreshing.

I switched to an iMac G5 at home in Oct 2005 with an iBook for mrssimongr in March 06. I am very happy with the mac (even if the iMac is a little slower on the graphics side than I expected 2GB ram but I didnt upgrade the graphics card).

I am actually thinking about in my next job (Or maybe next year if I dont change jobs) asking my work if I can supply my own laptop (salary sacrifice so get a tax deduction immediately) and get a mac for myself (I only use basic apps so dont need to worry too much about connectivity).

Not sure I would agree that you need to buy documentation - it really does "just work" - and if it doesnt work - then you dont probably need it

To tag on to this thread, I am also thinking of crossing over and am considering either a refurbed macbook or 15 inch macbook pro. Am considering the refurbed units based upon the good experiences of several friends up here. I am not too excited about dragging around a 15 inch laptop on the road so am really leaning toward the macbook.
The apple store currently has 2 refurbed macbooks:
http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/We...wJqyvR1hPrbiWE
http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/We...wJqyvR1hPrbiWE

I will probably add another 1gb of memory to either one. Anything to distinguish one above the other?

The store also has several macbook pros but as I said I am not too inclined to lug around that big of a notebook unless performance is substantially superior to a macbook. I won't be doing anything substantial with the laptop - no video editing or anything like that. Just wrod processing, internet connectivity, some gaming, watching movies, etc.

Any advice?

For the same price, go for the one with the Superdrive. it allows you to burn DVDs as well as CDs.

Everything but the gaming I'd say there's no reason to get the Pro, but the Pro's dedicated graphics card could be a help for the really graphically intense games. If gaming is an occasional or less important activity for you, go for the 13" all the way. Heck, go for the 13" and get a Wii/Xbox/PS for when you want intensive games.

If you decide to max out your RAM (you should), make sure to get the memory from Fry's or Newegg.com. Don't get it from Apple as the price is exorbitant.

The RAM is very easy to install.

Good luck.

Thanks to Tummy, CrazyOne, and BlindPilot for your comments. I ended up going with a new macbook, my first apple since the IIe.