you're correct, TK...

Macs are all-around better, more user-friendly, more stable, and safer from viruses.

on the viruses, that may be because Macs are owned by only, what, 10% of users?

so there's less CREEPS designing attacking viruses.

but Macs CAN have problems sometimes, they're not perfect...

I've been a Mac girl since getting a Performa in the late 80s, and my daughter worked at the Geek Squad to save up $$ for college.

the horror stories I've heard from her are MOSTLY about computers OTHER than Mac.

I've been coasting on the same eMac for nearly seven years, and I do okay, lol.

the only time I've had a problem is when lightning struck nearby in 2005, and we managed (by phone, from California to Belize) to to a System Restore from the original disks, which, luckily, my daughter packed SAFELY in my CD case, with all the manuals...

good thing *I* didn't pack 'em, or heaven KNOWS where they'd be found in a time of need !!

good luck on el problemo, and hope they manage to resurrect your Hard Drive, and restore your stuff !!