Before you buy that iMac at NewEgg you might want to check MacMall. They are selling iMacs for $1019.00. They are also selling MacPros for about $2100.00-$2200.00 (without monitor) which is actually a lot below what the price used to be for them. I think it used to be something like $2600.00-$2800.00 (no monitor).
I look at it this way-Windows computers are kind of in the middle (the sweet spot). Sure you can use Linux on a low powered Windows type computer but unless you can run Windows XP on that Linux computer how useful is it? Depends on what you want to do.
Apple Computers tend to be more expensive than Windows computers that can essentially do the same thing.
I remember when I saw a Windows computer advertised (new-I think it was an HP) for about $900.00. That price INCLUDED the Adobe Creative Suite which separately would probably cost about $1000.00. So basically if you wanted the Creative Suite you could buy this computer and for all practical purposes get the computer free and the Creative Suite for $100.00 less. Is that a deal or what? How many times can you get the Adobe Creative Suite included for free with a new Apple Computer?
Sure Vista requires a more powerful computer than Linux but that Windows computer is still cheap compared to a MacPro-unless you buy a top of the line Windows gaming computer.
What about security? Visit the Secunia website and check out how many security holes were found (and sometimes not patched) in Linux, Unix, and MacOS X compared to Windows XP and Vista.
So how come the Linux servers are not attacked? Usually the bad guys want to keep the servers operational unless they want to bring down a website, deface a website, extort money from a website, or they are terrorists trying to bring down the internet. They want to attack the desktop computers behind the servers. Linux is less than 1% of those desktop computers behind the servers so really-who cares?
Worldwide Mac OS X is only about 3% of the desktop computers so the bad guys probably really do not care. They want to make money and they do that by attacking large numbers of computers. Windows is over 90% on desktop computers.
A person can buy a very nice Windows computer for $1000.00 or less-definitely less if you already have a monitor. An iMac is nice (I have one myself) but economically the Windows computer is cheaper, just as capable, and more compatible. Things like being able to upgrade a computer, whether you like an all-in-one computer with monitor included or not, etc., also enter into the equation.
At this point I plan on continuing to run my iMac until it is done and probably going with Windows after that. It makes no sense to me to run a more expensive computer when a cheaper computer can do the same job.
I have no love affair with any O/S. If Linux could do the same as Windows and was compatible with printers and scanners I would go with Linux. Let me know when Linux equals Windows in software and hardware compatibility.
I like the iMac. It is a nice little computer. But actually I still prefer a separate monitor. When it comes to the MacPro there is no way I am going to pay over $2000.00 for a computer when a $1000.00 or less computer can do the same job-and be more compatible although of course you can run Windows XP also on a Mac.
I like both Windows and the Mac but Windows runs on cheaper computers.