David, I tend to agree with most of your points, but they aren't what I see as the problem with Mac PCs. Let's
all take the level-headed non-fanboy approach, okie?
1. The stability will differ greatly depending on user experience. Having grown up using Apple computers, I would argue that a
properly maintained Windows/Linux system is far more stable, but that for the 95% of the population that doesn't know how to do that, correct, OSX will be tougher to break.
Generally. The question of usability I don't even want to touch. I find that OSX substantially reduces my computing efficiency because it doesn't match my style. At the same time, I imagine it's quite compatible with yours. Thus, usability can not be used as an argument by either side, because people will be both ways on the issue.
2. Comparing a Mac to a Dell is a mostly worthless argument for both sides. There is a cost difference, but it's less significant that when you compare a Mac to a
custom build. That's what everybody looks at. I don't care if Dell can put out a computer that's $100 less. I'd rather build one that's $500+ less. Macs simply don't have the price/performance ratio that a home-built PC has. Why? Because that's not their business model. They aren't trying to win the performance crown. They aren't trying to win the cost crown. They've realized that they can make a killing without either of those.
3. So Macs are growing in market share. Good for them. First lesson in being an educated consumer: popular =/= best. Sometimes it will match your needs, sometimes it won't, but you can almost always find something better if you dig deeper than the surface. It's the nature of the market.
4. Honestly if you're going to make a point about ad-homs, don't do it in your next few sentences. Eventually it stops being funny and starts becoming offensive. At that point, any hope you have of convincing the other side is gone. Are there arrogant Mac users - yes. Are there arrogant PC users - yes. People are idiots. End of story.
And uh, as for the whole "once you go Mac, you never go back" thing. Oopsies, I did.