I am on Windows XP, but if I were starting from almost a no-legacy position that the original poster describes, I would most likely buy a Mac. From what I've read, heard and seen, it is a more efficient processor of information, doesn't suffer from most of the security problems plaguing the PC world, and most equipment and important applications are cross-platform. There are some that won't run on Mac and others that won't run on PC, but except for some highly specialized uses, I don't see that as a decision factor either way, because there are usually good alternatives. The price advantage of PCs has been largely eroded by Apple's new pricing policies, and PC's potential speed advantage has been eroded by Apple's switch to the Intel processor. The one thing though I would be VERY careful about is service and support. I know serious, knowledgeable professionals who have been badly let down by Apple support; but on the PC side, dealing with Dell for example, you can only count on really top quality support by buying a Gold package and paying quite dearly for it.