I've no experience with Macs but I think it is probably an each to their own choice and I quite like the PC.

I would say that hardware wise, a PC is very easy to work on providing you have a reasonable case and I've not run into any major problems upgrading or repairing mine. I have also found mine to be reliable - I still have a 1985 8086 in good working order. The only major problem I have had was caused by lightening which zapped, motherboard, processor, soundcard and modem but I can't blame the PC for that! Rebuilding after the damage was quite straightforward once I had worked out what I was going to build and which motherboard, processor, etc. to go for.

Software, OK, I don't think Windows is that great but it is useable and is perhaps more stable than some suggest. There is also a wealth of software availible.

I would like to see Linux go futher but I can't be bothered with all the command level bits you seem to have to know - maybe one day...

Jon