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I used Macs loyally for more than a decade, but I switched because of exactly the opposite reasons Farhad makes. My Macs always got slower, and slower, crashing more and more, getting more "gummed up" as you say. I'd have to do clean installs of Mac OS, but they would eventually stop working -- sure, like any computer. But a Mac is much more difficult and costly to upgrade, because the hardware is all proprietary and held by one company. It's not open. I can't go and replace one of the machine's failing organs -- or heck, even its shell -- by buying a new hard drive or a graphics card from a dozen different companies.
Then I switched to Windows, around the time XP came out. I've never had a single software crash, unlike earlier days of Mac (although I understand recent versions are more stable). I've never had a single problem with viruses or spyware, and I use the internet all the time and don't have any kind of expensive virus or anti-spyware software, just freeware. I really don't understand how people end up with that stuff on their computers, although I know they do -- I've cleaned the gunk off relatives' machines. If you're someone who's plagued by spyware and viruses, I can see why you'd want a Mac, although if they do get more popular, I'm sure you'll see more Mac spyware and viruses. It's the lack of numbers that have kept Mac users safe, not the fact that Apple's security is impregnable.
I have had my current machine for almost seven years and it's still humming along great, playing the latest games. I haven't HAD to buy a new machine because when something goes wrong, as it always will, I replace the hard drive, or the motherboard, or the graphics card, although even that I've been using for four years now without too much of a problem with games.
Farhad's whole argument is built around the idea that you have to buy a new computer every two years. Sure, that's fine if you like to throw your disposable income around and clutter the environment with disused computer parts. Don't fool yourself by thinking that you're an amazing recycler for reselling your computer; if it only lasted you two years before you "needed" the latest model, how long do you think it's going to last the slightly poorer person who you hand it down to for more than they'd pay for a used Windows machine? Look at it from the used-computer buyer's point of view too, jerk.
Macs also wear out and become obsolete, and eventually the whole thing lands on the junkpile. But with a PC, I just replace parts occasionally, a much more steady and low cost, and it's not that hard to do. I don't have a background in computers or programming or electronics of any kind -- I'm a writer and graphic designer. If we want to move away from the "toss the old one and buy a new one" mentality that creates landfills viewable from space, we have to focus more on repairs, and do-it-yourself ones if necessary.
I remember the moment when I first realized that I had been duped by Apple's reputation as an outsider challenging the hegemonic might of Bill Gates. I am not a big Microsoft fan, and would rather run Linux one of these days, but Apple is just another corporation, and their hardware monopoly is actually more insidious than the fact that Microsoft's software is the most popular. Apple is the only place to go when Apple hardware breaks down, which is becoming more common in the era of the disposable iPod (remember the scandals with the first version?) And they just want you to buy a new one. Just like Farhad does.
Shame on you, telling people they have to buy a new computer every two years! I've never found that necessary to run the latest software or be free from technical problems, even with a Mac -- we should expect all computers to last five years at least.
