Yuck... New laptop needed. Go Mac?

[JackK]

Sigh... My dell has finally kicked the bucket, I fear... I think one of the hard drives is shot (RAID config). Was making odd clicking noises and running slowly... Restarted it, it would boot to the vista load bar, go through two and a half cycles then I'd get a blue screen of death flash for a millisecond (no way to read what it said), then it'd attempt to boot again... This would repeat ad nauseum.

I tried doing Windows repair- Now when the computer boots it just goes to a black screen with a pointer icon- I can move the mouse around, but nothing happens, can't see anything other than a little pointer.

So, barring a miraculous fix that's offered by someone on this site, I may be in the market for a new machine. Dell is right out- I had nothing but problems with this computer from the get-go (had to get two MBs replaced, thankfully under warranty). I haven't shopped for a computer in a long while. I used to computer game, but I think I'd rather get a cheaper laptop for web browsing, word processing, photoshop work, watching movies, etc, and save the extra $$$ for an eventual PS3/decent TV. My priority is something with excellent customer service, fast, reliable.

Pretty much every sign has pointed me towards Apple- While it'd be a radical shift from PC, I'm kinda tired of all of the Windows BS- Vista was a travesty, and I have no experience with 7. The base 13" Macbook Pro might suit my needs- but pricey at $1200. The alternative to it would be the 13" Macbook Air- a hundred more, but a flash ssd, and I have no issue with attaching peripherals if needed. To those Apple users out there- worth the price tag? Or am I just paying for a name? Any suggestions on a PC that won't make me tear out my hair with constant issues?