Well my 2c's
Is a Mac more expensive compared to its Windows based rivals? Answer: Hell yes.
We all know that Mac users pay a premium over Windows and why, and I think part has to do with image, and part has to do with OSX. For me owning a Mac transcends both but that is because I use Apple specific software that you simply cant run without OSX.
Was my choice a good one? Hell yes.
For this hardware didn't come into it, I wasn't looking for a fast processor or a great graphics card to play crisis, I wanted OSX simple as, and without all the hassle and fuss of hacking, I wanted something that worked and didn't give me any kind of problems when running, with windows based stuff, I've had nothing but problems, all the way through UNI I used a (now stone age by comparison to todays PC's) Win 2000, GF4, AMD 2100xp with an Epox MB and 2 GB RAM. I had nothing but headaches with software problems and driver issues, all sorts of hardware issues (not down to Windows directly) to put it bluntly and total pain in the proverbial.
For over 3 years after UNI i still struggled to use the aging PC. Windows being the pain in my life, Windows 2000 just been too rigid and inflexible, but stable under pressure, but XP been too open to problems and buggy. in the end I gave up and just used my parents PC for a while, eventually I got my Mac and I haven't looked back, every thing works just like its supposed, its easy to use and just simply wants to do the jobs I ask it to do. Yes the hardware is inferior compared to other Windows based machines, but what good is all the power when the software just isnt stable and just makes working a complete nightmare, the difference is aching to something like this...
A ricer spends £60,000 on doing up an EVO he doesn't have a clue and the car is a total pile, yes it has 800hp and can do a quarter mile in under 9secs, but it needs an overhaul every time it does a quarter mile, then mr rich comes along and shows off his £120,000 Ferrari, a machine honed to perfection, it may not do the quarter mile in 9secs but it looks beautiful it drives like a dream and can be used every day, now the EVO in the right hands can do amazing things and can in some circumstances blow away the Ferrari but it has to be the right person with the right knowledge.
So yes in the right hands a Windows based machine can blow away a Mac in benchmark tests and doing all sorts of processing but you have to know how to get the best from it and be willing to spend the time making sure it does exactly that, but a Mac purrs a long and looks good doing it, for me the Mac was the perfect choice, and I can also say my parents think the same, I got them a macbook the bottom of the range, and I can tell you that they love it, it does exactly what they need and doesn't ask them to strain the old gray matter just to get a web page up, unlike windows.
If you want a PC for the simple matter you want allot more bang for your buck then go for it, because your making the right choice, but if you want a machine that does exactly what you need without you having to upgrade this and that and install new drivers and worry about other software issues, then go mac, yes you have a premium to pay but for me anyway its worth it.
(this speech was brought to you by an avid Mac users and proud Mac fanboy

)