Dell really screwed me over with my repairs last summer. I ended up having to pay something like 400 dollars. to get a full warrenty for 2-3 years (I forget, I gotta check the paperwork), because they wanted to charge me 500 dollars or something ludicrous to repair water damage that never occurred to the computer. I was so furious.

I wouldn't mind having to fork out a little more, in exchange for having to get my hardware replaced/repaired less often. I've only had to get one repair in all of the years I had iPods, yet this Dell heats up like the sun and then needs to be repaired every 12 months, it seems, despite the fact that I have a cooling mat and all. XD

My main attraction to the Macbook is that 1) it's light, because now that I'm commuting to uni, and my commute is an hour away, I have to bring my laptop with me always, in the case I forget to print out an assignment, and to stave boredom between classes and 2) the interface design is just very aesthetically pleasing to me. I don't do enough on the computer to make the switch over terribly inconvenient, compared to how much I'll enjoy the look of the whole thing.

Also, now that every university has gone Apple crazy, I won't have to annoy myself trying to convert my files and power point presentations into a format that works with Macs and my computer. That will be convenient.

Thanks a lot, Mike!

EDIT: Thanks Vivi22! I've learned the sad fact that the extended warranty is pretty much a necessity through my own problems with Dell, so I definitely hear you there, and I won't be skimping on it. XD

Out of curiosity, what problems did your sister have with her Mac? I know with PCs laptops, the usual problem is overheating and frying - at least, that's the only problem I've ever had, aside from my first laptop (a crappy Sony) having the screen pop off its hinges. But I've never heard of a Mac overheating, so I'd like to know what I'd have to look out for if I do get one!