Thinking of switching to a Mac? Here's why you might

— -- Most consumers seeking a new computer this holiday season will buy a Windows PC. And yet judging by the questions I get, many would-be buyers are considering a Macintosh for the first time, possibly because they're smitten with the iPod, or because of Apple's clever Mac guy/PC guy TV ads.

I'm a Mac guy, too, though not one who believes bashing Windows is a prerequisite. So consider this column a primer on switching to the Mac. I'll come back next week with advice for folks who plan on sticking with Windows.

Answers to some key questions:

Why are Macs special?

It's like explaining the difference between a Buick and a BMW. Both get you from here to there, only the ride is generally smoother and more fun. Put another way, Windows users tolerate their computers to get stuff done. The Mac crowd enjoys its machines, whether managing music in iTunes or pictures in iPhoto.

Mac hardware is beautifully designed; the strikingly thin all-in-one iMac desktop, for example, has an anodized aluminum frame and glossy glass cover. The underlying software is polished, robust and secure, with see-through menus and fanciful icons that spring to life when you click on them. Indeed, Apple's computers to date have been immune from the scourge of viruses and malware that have long plagued Windows.

Macs aren't completely trouble-free; programs on my own iMac sometimes freeze up. But the machines are exceedingly reliable, much more so in my experience than their Windows rivals.

Is there a learning curve?