The Apple MacBooks have been dissed a lot: orange discolorations [which Apple may be taking care of], they're really hot (with some accessories even burning), some moo and a few geeks are leaving Mac/OSX for Ubuntu, one of them even writing on how he went about it.

During this time, Apple have been attacked for using sweat-shops to get iPods made and are frequently (and rightfully so) assailed for their silence, both for being quiet on the whole, and for not really revealing any coming products (until people have bought theirs just before the new ish is released, and cannot exchange it for the new). At times, it seems only a storm of voices can affect them; some even create an entire blog dedicated to bashing Apple, and I'm not saying that's wrong.

On the other hand, the MacBooks have been nearly universally acclaimed, you can now run Windows off the blasted thing, it's extremely GTD-oriented, devices you plug in don't need drivers, there are almost no virii for OSX, it starts up really fast...there's a plethora of reasons to get one, if you can afford it.

There are freeware alternatives to some of the programs Apple offer, for other operating systems, although they're mostly not made or supported by professionals - which can actually be a pro rather than a con when you consider how silent Apple is as a company, whereas open communities consisting of open source-fanatics tend to be quite quick in replying when one is in need of aid.

I have bought a MacBook, and I'll tell you why; the following list is not in any kind of order.

1. Power. The dual-core Intel-processor runs fast, yet I strongly recommend anybody who thinks of purchasing a MacBook to go for 2GB's of RAM, instead of settling down with the 512MB that are included; the prices are quite low, anyway. And this is modern stuff, just check the spec's. A built-in webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, DVD-burner, glossy screen and magnetic screen-lock are only parts of the solution.

2. Programs included are well thought-through. Spotlight, which enables you to search your hard-disk for anything in no-time (unlike the very dysfunctional indexing-engine currently built into Windows Vista) Exposé and a variety of different applications, e.g. iLife, that covers my needs for importing, organising, sorting and exporting pictures (even directly to flickr after I installed a free plugin), burning DVD's that I have mucked about with myself, making a little music...it's good. Check these tutorials from Apple. And that's just a little bit. Look into Exposé, the widgets, the stuff that's years before Windows Vista or any other operating system I've found, and that's most definitely including Ubuntu, which I count as being the most noteworthy Linux-platform, and its XGL graphics.

3. Virtualisation. Microsoft are using MacBooks (Pro, though) to show Windows Vista, so why shouldn't I be doing the same? And I can run Ubuntu, which covers all my needs, and thanks to Boot Camp, I can even run those OS's natively. Fancy, huh? A-hu-hu-huh, too.

4. The operating-system looks fantastic, feels fresh and runs steadily. Yeah, it's beautiful, which Microsoft are best at showing as they're constantly ripping OSX into Windows Vista. Sure, I can run around Windows because I have used it for more than a decade, but it still has a lot of stuff to learn from Apple - which, yet again, is why Microsoft are ripping OSX for a lot of features that are coming in Windows Vista.

5. Security and safety. It's safe. It's built on UNIX, old as streets and wise as Gods; I'm not saying OSX or UNIX is unpenetrable (it's built by humans, cry-out-loud-time) but it's the nearest we are at the moment according to a lot of people - and Sophos, as linked.

All in all, I've been using my MacBook for little more than a week. I'm very satisfied. In fact, I've never been this satisfied with a laptop computer, but I'm not abandoning Windows, oh no. I like living in different worlds, savouring the flavours of all and getting a scent of what's good from "abroad", no matter where that is from. The Mac offers me the best choices where productivity, integration and play are involved - for me, that is. I can't speak for any other person in this matter. Of course, there are downsides. I hate iTunes, I firmly dislike QuickTime, but there are so many upsides that it makes Windows look like the iron age. Thanks to programs like Delicious Library, Quicksilver, VirtueDesktops, NeoOffice, iStumbler and among loads of beautiful and necessary apps, among the cool little features.

edit: I've started to hate my MacBook for shutting down spontaneously and for having a hard time to boot. Check this post for more info.