Apple designs own mobos but still use mostly PC parts like CPU, RAM, Graphics chipsets ect. Basically you pay a bunch for an OS. The Mac OS is in my opinion not any the bit better than windows 7. I have used both for years and am a professional IT person. The mac OS isn't anymore secure than windows and actually in certain areas has more holes in it, thing is that with only 5% of the market no one really cares to make viruses, worms, malware ect for them. I have a new Toshiba Laptop i bought for $500 that has a 16"HD lcd screen, DVD Multi Recorder with label flash, wifi, and all the other bells and whistles, you'll never find an Apple laptop new with specs anywhere near that for any where near the price. Also the H/W like graphics chipsets they use are a little dated in terms of whats available. The Mac is a good computer, but think twice before spending the dough. Also all this that you get what you pay for when they listed the top laptops for not having issues and lasting beyond the traditional three year mark Toshiba and Asus made the top mark with only about a 14% failure rating, and yeah Macs didn't rank in the bottom but they also weren't on the top. So $500 for a laptop that has gotten high marks for lastability, quality and performance with a 16" screen and more or $1300 for a laptop that also gets high marks (not as high tho) and only 13" screen, smaller KB and older H/W specs. Just my 2 cents!!!