We shouldnt start a flame-war, as always there are plusses and minuses for both sides. No macdude Apples are not just uberbest computers blah blblahoblah. They are good, but I also think its in their simplicity and stability, My friends G5 is very stable and a very nice machine, however spec for spec mine beat it in almost everything, and I paid probably less than half as much to build it. When you buy an Apple you are paying a LOT for the name, some say its worth it, possibly. If you want an Apple, then you gotta pay. They do have many things going for them, however PCs are getting better, cheaper, and the gap on supposed Apple advantages is closing fast (vid editing, graphics work and such). I personally think Apple is a lot like the Shuffle in my sig. They are trendy and cute. Dont get me wrong I think they look nice, but I personally wouldnt like to look like a regular at the fabbest new coffeeshop, uptown on conformity street. (no offense, but thats the image I get).
It depends on a lot of things what you should get. Obviously what are you doing with it? Do you need weight and portability over value? Do you need possible stabilty and support over price? Will you be working with any specific programs?
The Acer Ferrari is freckin sweet, has good specs, and is in your range. I would check them out.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/acer-ferrari.html
Ohhh man are they gorgeous. See THAT to me is freckin tight. A Ferrari laptop!!!! That would get looks wherever you went, but its different and I think being or looking original is attractive (if you care) as well.