I work with Apple, Samsung, MS, Nokia and many other vendors. I use most of them daily for my work. They all make great products. Don't just make it about the device, include the Apps, music tools, backup, integration if you are changing you phone etc. Apple does it best from end to end.
I use both, for work and play at home.
I built the PC for heavy duty office work and content creation using Powerpoint, Photoshop and other tools on a workstation grade PC with 5 monitors. Windows gives more flexibility at this level as the hardware is kit form. I use Apple for EVERYTHING else.
Over the last four years I have watched my customers go from a PC/Blackberry to >80% Apple at home. They are all tech savvy people from the IT side of their various industries. Apple starts with the iPad then goes iPhone, then Mac, then AppleTV, then all the rest flips because it is easy. If you ask someone how many Apple devices they have at home these days (partner/kids/iPods/Macs/older devices) it is usually over 10 desite the price. Take a look on the train. They do also feel better in use, they are just made well out of nicer materials.
Benefits of PC/Windows.
Cheaper to buy. More software available, not necessarily better at all.
Apple extras (video cables, power leads etc) very expensive
Office for PC better overall package for work integration.
WIndows 8 maybe okay on a Surface but crummy on most laptops. Buy a device with integrated touchscreen based on Windows 8Pro if you are going to do it. Most people I know have flipped back to Windows 7.
If you are used to Windows user interface it is easier to migrate to 7 but not 8.
iTunes is an expensive source for video and audio (but goes seamlessly across all devices, use Amazon and others) Windows lets you use more sources with less effort.
Benefits of Apple.
Same OS experience from iPhone to iPad and most of OS-X on Mac.
You get upgrades FoC (major releases as well as patches)
Don't need anti-virus and all the other clutter from Windows.
Hardware is so well built, battery life is better, it just works, always
You get Works (Apple equiv to Office) FoC
iTunes maintains your content if you lose a device
Apple do respect personal privacy to a higher degree than others in my experience
The OS protects your personal data to a greater degree
iPhoto and other stuff integrates really well across devices.
iCloud syncs stuff across all your devices so well.
Assume a 3 year device life which will give you all upgrades with no performance issues.
AppStore shows you lots of cool Apps and they tend to be sensible prices (WIn catching up here)
Installation of bits and extras tends to be simple with less support needed.
Everything runs wireless so cabling and placement is so simple.
Windows 8 drives me nuts, MS has lost the lead and now the plot. Little of the software out there leverages it usefully.
Add the price for
Extra cables and chargers (don't buy 3rd party/eBay)
Covers and cases seem to be expensive ! You will happily pay to protect the devices.
Printer with AirPrint (probably Wireless which makes it even tidier)
AppleTV to allow screen to be thrown and things to be shared and seen
Apple TimeCapsule/WiFi for automatic backup is great and well advised but expensive, it also acts as a media streamer to AppleTV for video watching.
iTunes Match allows your music to be spread across all devices automatically if you want to
Once someone explains the commands (2-3-4 finger) on the pad and you get past changing over to the user interface (full screen for apps and swiping between them) it becomes so easy. Assume it will take a bit of patience and have a person to show you or use the YouTube guides and you will find it is worth it.
Go Mac. Go Apple end to end. Then you don't really notice the OS just the apps and content.
MacBookAir, 13, 256Gb SSD, 4Gb RAM, cover to protect it.
