Depends on the user and the specific computer more than the os. OSX/Panther is a good operating system. However, so is XP. I've been using this computer for every conceivable purpose for the last two years and I have never had any stability problems. Besides, even if you think XP is inefficient and sucky, it takes all of five seconds to swap the old explorer.exe out for a low-weight shell.

As far as the hardware goes there's not really any difference between companies, only users. If you treat your computer right nothing is going to die on you. I've never had hardware problems with PCs. However, a friend of mine has accidentally destroyed two mac computers in a row (a laptop and desktop). It's all about knowing your ass from your elbow.

Macs are good computers. Their designers are innovative and have helped evolve the PC more than most people, even many mac users, realize. However, it's easy to get a better computer than what they offer for less than they sell them for. Any good PC with an Athlon 64-based (FX-51, SK8N, SK8V, etc) motherboard and decent RAM will, even with a single slower processor, outdo a G5 in every application except Photoshop (Adobe and Mac are lovers) and cost about a thousand $$ less. Mac isn't cost efficient right now. As they expand their market I'm sure they'll start being even more affordable for their quality than their competition, but that'll be after they make their dual processor systems more efficient.