Which to choose, Apple that ties the OS X to the hardware but requires no activation, or Microsoft that treats you like a criminal from day one. Yes, Linux, if you don't mind its problems.
Yep, they all have advantages and disadvantages...that's why I use all three!
The Macbook is for my non-computer-savvy wife. She's taken to it well (she previously used a linux desktop computer). My linux computer occasionally takes some fiddling, but it performs well, and hey, it's free! Windows...I bought the Win2K cd years ago on ebay for $80, and it's served me very well. The XP cd I got as kind of a 'loaner'.
Which to choose, Apple that ties the OS X to the hardware but requires no activation, or Microsoft that treats you like a criminal from day one. Yes, Linux, if you don't mind its problems.
The good news is Linux distributions are really getting good. I'm no Ubuntu fan, but the last version that came out has been flawless. Mint is better. I'm a big fan of PCLinuxOS, the most user friendly distro IMO.
Linux is a legitimate alternative.