For what its worth I've using Mac's since my old corporate employer did a massive switch to Apple in 1990 (approx). Since then I've used them in corporate and domestic environments for a number of different applications. So here are my observations:

1. Software reliability. After Apple introduced OS X (10.1 etc) in about 2001 the operating system became very reliable. Individual programs may lock up (generating the 'spinning beach ball of death' graphical indicator), but the remedy is to click back onto the Apple log and 'force quit' the program. Its very rare to actually crash the OS itself. Certain programs will crash more than others in my experience (e.g very long MS Powerpoint presentations). If you feel the need to get the latest OS disks, they can be obtained from Apple.

2. Hardware reliability. Desktop Macs seem to go on for ever. I had one which lasted 10 years which would still do useful word processing etc at the time I finally scrapped it. My current desktop, (a 533Mhz G4) has been in daily use since i bought it in 2000, and has survived three upgrades of operating system. I still do most of my professional work (report writing and spreadsheeting) on this machine.

3. Laptops. I'm afraid laptops do break (or rather, people break them) I've gone through quite a few Mac laptops, which I use for presentations, training, and music recoding editing. I have had to replace screens, hard discs, and ancillary components like power connectors. But laptops do get dropped, kicked, and have coffee spilt on them. I always back up whatever is on the laptop and I generally keep critical work on the desktop G4.

4. M.Ted mentions random shutdown syndrome. A few years ago Apple switched from using Motorola chips (the G3, G4, G5 series) to various Intel chips. These are wonderful, powerful etc, but they RUN HOT. My MacBook Pro will get too hot to have on my lap when I'm doing certain intensive tasks such as music editing. However, at least the heat is escaping from its metal case. Many musicians use the MacBook (not the MacBook Pro) laptops which are plastic cased and do not dissipate heat so well. I think you'll find, MT, that there is a safety thermostat that switches the machine off if it gets too hot. My son uses a black MacBook for heavy Cubase/Logic Pro work and has had it shutdown on a few occasions. The solution seems to be to use a laptop stand which gets cooling air flowing around the computer. Don't use it for long periods on soft furnishings, bed covers, etc as these don't let the air circulate underneath.

Hope this helps y'all