That is not true with the Mac. Everything you install on a Mac these days is a binary. You just download the file, the download mounts as a disk image, drag the program into your Application folder or any other folder that you choose, and that's it. It's installed. It couldn't be simpler.
As a programmer, the Mac comes with every major scripting language a programmer could want already installed: Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP. Also comes with Java. I also needed a C compiler for writing C, C++ and Objective C programs. All it took was one free download from Apple's website of Xcode. It installed and that was it. Xcode is a great IDE.
With UNIX you have to compile the apps to work on your system and that’s what keeps me from jumping on Linux. It’s just too much a PITA.
Widows has nothing to compare with iPhoto or Aperture. All of the professional photographers are on Macs. That's also true of the graphics artists I know. And most of the competent programmers and Web developers I know have all moved to the Mac.
To be clear the only programs that just install on OS X are programs already compiled for the Max, right?
And that right there limits you. But it is getting better..they even have some steam games on it.