I would go with a Mac, for what you're going to use it for, it will more than suit you... And them some! I think the Mac is a premium brand, with good quality and a loyalty that is like none other. They last longer in the real world, meaning they don't change every three weeks like PCs. They change in speed and power, but as any Mac guy will tell you, an old Mac is still a viable machine in today's real world.

I think they are simpler to use, nicer to hold and overall a pleasure to own. I have a 6 year old Powerbook that is used for hours on end and does everything well, even after all these years. I also have a few newer machines and am very satisfied.

I also work on PCs, but they are just machines for just that... Work!

Look at it this way, if you drove a cab in NYC, you'd drive a Ford Crown Vic (in its own right, a great car) but what would you drive on the weekend on you own free time? The PC is a good work machine, the Mac can do PC work (by itself or with emulators) but it plays a whole lot better.