I live in an Apple/Mac Free Zone and really haven't had any problems with my Windows PCs. I run Windows Vista 64 on my desk top that our IT guy at work put together for me a couple of years ago. I run an i7 processor with 6g ram. I don't do any video work and have no problems with processing my pictures. I have a graphics card that I use to play the few games I waste time with. My lap top is a Sony Vaio that I ordered to my specs from their website. It is just over a year old and runs Windows 7 and also has 6g Ram with an i5 processor.

For any desktop, I would recommend having one built. It isn't nearly as expensive as you would think and it comes only with the software that you want on it. I don't know that I will ever buy a retail computer again that isn't a laptop; and the laptops from the Sony online store are darned near custom built.