1. The only real limitation of running Windows programs on a Mac are that you have to buy and install a copy of Windows, as wll as the Windows compatible software. Most solutions for running Windows within Macintosh OS X also require a purchase of virtualization software, such as Prallels or VMware Fusion. These programs generally cost $50 - $80. Apple offers Boot Camp for free, which allows you to set up a Windows partition on your hard drive, and boot the Mac up as a Windows machine. This solution requires reboting when switching between Mac and PC software. However, Boot Camp is currently in beta, and is expected to have new features in OS X 10.5 (aka Leopard). These new features may or may not eliminate the need to reboot when switching.

I've been using Macs nearly exclusively for about three years now, and I have yet to actually need to run any Windows software. I have found that most titles have Mac versions or Mac equivalents. Some popular software, such as MS Word and MS Excel were even available on the Mac prior to being available for Windows.

2. Macs come with Safari, which utilizes the open source WebKit rendering engine. Other browsers also use this rendering engine, including my browser of choice, Shiira (v.1.2.x), which can add useful features not available in Safari. Mozilla Firefox and Opera are also popular Mac browsers. Mozilla also offers Camino, which was designed for Macs from the beginning. The disadvantage of Opera and Mozilla browsers on the Mac is that they do not support many of the system wide services that are supported by most Mac applications. Safari and other WebKit browsers do not have this limitation.

3. You will only need to purchase MS Office in order to run Word and Excel. Bear in mind that MS has not yet released a version of Office that runs natively on Apple Intel hardware. Office 2008 will remedy that. There are also other options available, including iWork, and a number of free solutions, both desktop based and web based.

4. You can never have too much memory or a hard drive that is to large or fast. Having said that, I would recommend ordering your MacBook with 1 GB RAM and the smallest hard drive that comes with your optical drive (and color) of choice. Both the hard drive and the RAM are considered user replaceable parts in the MacBook, which means you can replace your own without voiding your warranty. The first time you try it, it should take less tha an hour. After you have done it once, you should be able to perform the procedure in under ten minutes, from start to finish. The only tools required are a size 0 Phillips head screwdriver, a coin, and a non-magnetic plastic card, such as a library card.

The MacBook actually supports up to 3.3 GB of RAM. The problem is that to get that much RAM, 2 x 2 GB modules must be installed. The Intel logic board has some overlap in its memory addressing, so will not recognize the full 4 GB. Perhaps the best solution is to install one 2 GB module and one 1 GB module. (I am currently running my MacBook with 3 GB of RAM in that configuration.) The disadvantage of this configuration is that the modules are not the same size, which will disable the MacBook's ability to interleave data. However, in terms of performance, this disadvantage is generally far outweighed by the additional RAM available to the CPU. Other World Computing has published benchmark test results of the MacBook in a wide variety of memory configurations.

I also recommend large, fast hard drives. Any 2.5 inch SATA hard drive that is 9.5 mm or less can be installed in the MacBook. Currently, Hitachi offers a 200 GB drive operating at 7200 RPM. This is the drive I am currently using. As a general rule, if your drive doesn't have much data on it, higher RPM drives offer the best speed advantage. If you have a large amount of data, the biggest speed advantages come from larger capacities. Note that a large capacity drive still offers the best speed with little data on it, it just slows down the least as data is added.

5. Yes, Macs typically have a good shelf life. I have a 4.5 year old iBook that can still run Mac OS X 10.4.x, which is currently Apple's latest operating system, fast enough to be plenty usable. My MacBook is much faster, but the iBook is still fast enough that the computer waits on me FAR more often than I wait on the computer. There will come a point that the next operating system simply requires too much in the way of system resources to make an upgrade practical. However, until that point is reached, upgrading the operating system will typically increase the speed of a Mac rather than reducing it, as often happens with MS Windows. My iBook runs faster with 10.4 than it ran with 10.3, and 10.3 ran faster than 10.2. I don't expect to be able to run OS X 10.5 on the iBook. (That's an unusually short service life for a Mac, caused by the switch to Intel hardware.)

Regarding AppleCare Protection Plan, it's a decision you will have to make. Apple makes a profit on AppleCare, so, on average, AppleCare's cost exceeds its benefits. On an individual basis it has the potential of saving you a large amount of money on a repair that you may need in 30 months. Keep in mind that you have a year after your MacBook purchase to buy an AppleCare plan.

AppleCare does NOT cover batteries, except in the case of failure due to materials or workmanship.