I think Ubuntu 9.04 Gnome has the best interface of all because it combines User friendly features from both OS giants. From OSX, it has the dock and from Windows it has the Start Menu and taskbar.
As for OSX, it works well for Media production such as image, video and audio editing because there is a vast abundance of hardware that integrates with OSX exclusive and non exclusive software.
Out of the box, the software supplied by Apple (like iLife) is pretty good. With windows, the creative software seems like an afterthought and it is very unclear from the interface, what can and can't be done with a barebone Windows installation.
It is also very easy to install Windows in OSX (as a separate OS or as a VM) and boot camp installs the necessary drivers required so all you need then is external device drivers for printers and such).
Also, with OSX (for most computers), it has integrated peripherals that work great out of the box, which is an appeal for non savvy users who just want to use the computer to consume and share information rather than worrying about driver support (which probably was the backbreaker for Vista, as well as the hardware requirements).
Also, OSX is built using a modified BSD (Unix) kernel, which has stood the test of time on stability and security with adeqaute performance. Windows is still plagued by security wholes (requires Antivirus and malware protection) and stability issues (not so common now but was still an issue in the XP and pre-NT infancy days).
For $1000, it is an affordable system for young people like students who are in the media production industry and will likely last them the full term of their undergraduate study and then some). With Windows it is hit and miss and battery life varies greatly (and 15.4" is large to lug around school all day). $1000 for a 13.3" laptop is not terrible, plus it has a decent GPU.
If you don't want to spend $1000 for a Macbook then don't, but others who have used Macs and need OSX, the $1000 price point is fair. RAM is very cheap to upgrade yourself (4GB for $45 or less).