When Apple 'gets it', I'll switch
I want to switch, but I can't.
Through Apple's many innovations in their UNIX-based operating system and their recent work on porting to the Intel chipset, they've produced a rather unique opportunity to capture a portion of the business and power-user market that wasn't previously available to them. Despite my deep, itching desire to replace my Dell with a Powerbook, Apple won't be getting my money any time soon, if ever.
It actually has nothing to do with the product. In fact, with the recent addition of the virtualization platform that takes advantages of the VT instruction set in the Core Duo, you can even run Windows XP right along-side OSX (not dual boot - you can have them both running at the same time - and both running in near-native performance, unlike traditional virtualization). The product is solid and, without a doubt, would make me a more productive individual.
Even the software selection on the Mac, while making me a little hesitant to switch, is finally in-line enough with the modern world that I feel like I won't be giving up much (except getting to install and play with cutting-edge software, which the industry typically only deems worthy of Windows). I may have issues with my WindowsMobile Treo 700w, but nothing I can't live without (don't say Palm - been there, done that, shed those tears). Nevertheless, there seem to be enough alternative software packages on the map, combined with the fact that I can still run XP along-side OSX (without having to reboot) and I think we're in good-enough shape.
My problem is that Apple doesn't understand the role of the computer in the lives of people, and especially, businesses. This point is illustrated most significantly by the fact that if your computer breaks under warranty, you are expected to put it in a box, ship it to Apple, wait a few weeks, and they'll mail it back to you.
Does that sound like something you could live with? Me either. In fact, I'm fairly convinced the "switchers" are going to end up learning this the hard way.
Apple is especially vulnerable in this arena because their first and second generation products tend to ship with major issues - one study I found even indicated that more than 50% of apple first-gen laptops ended up being sent in for service at some point durring their warranty process. Are you seeing the picture? If I bought a Macbook, I have a >50% chance of being without it for a few weeks during the first year or two. In fact, in my conversations with "Mac people" about this topic, I've learned that the solution most people choose when they come to this juncture is - I hope you're sitting down - they buy a WHOLE NEW COMPUTER while theirs is being repaired. (More than 90% of the Apple owners I personally know who have more than one computer acquired that second computer as a result of a warranty / repair issue similar to what I just described). Sounds like a good, economical solution, and, faced with the same situation, I'd probably be forced to do the same thing. No wonder Apple sells so many of these - more than 50% of their customers are forced to buy a second one at some point.
As much as I hate to play the "Dell versus Apple" card, I'd like to point out to you mac-heads what Dell offers me. If something goes wrong with my laptop while I'm on the road (say, for example, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Rome and I spill a Diet-Coke in my keyboard), Dell will send a tech out (to my hotel in Rome) the next day to replace whatever parts were damaged by my act of stupidity - at no charge to me. If that includes a completely new laptop, so be it. Spill soda in your mac keyboard and see if Apple will fix it for free - let alone next day - let alone in your hotel room on the other side of the world. The reality is that Dell "gets" the problem that business people are faced with. We can't carry around the liability of a computer that may or may not work the next day - let alone the liability that I may have to live without my computer for a few weeks if it's been engineered incorrectly. Business doesn't work that way.
I need the option to pay a little extra for a warranty that covers accidents, and I need next day on-site service no matter where I'm at in the world. Dell gives me this today, and the instant Apple adds this to their arsenal, I'll be their most loyal customer. Until then, Dell gets my business.