Switching from a PC / Educational offer

I'm a PC user, about to make the big switch (I think). Everyone I know is warning me against it, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a Mac. Just a few concerns:
1. Everyone keeps telling me that there are heaps of applications that don't work on a Mac. I don't care about software for gaming and design and all that. I just need the basics (word processing, internet, whatever stuff I'll need for school) and I've checked that all the applications that I'll need (that I can think of) are available on Macs, but I'm afraid that I've missed some out. So, I just wanted to know if any of you Mac users have run into the problem of not being able to use a certain software. (Apart from gaming/specialist software).
2. The main reason I want a Mac is because I've heard/read so much about its stability etc. Is the Mac really as stable/virus-free etc as it's made out to be? (I'll admit, looking around this discussion are makes me a little worried, even if its only a small percentage of Mac users experiencing problems) My parents are very very against me getting a Mac ("Why don't you just stick with something familiar?") so if I get one and it screws me over, I will never ever hear the end of it from my parents, heh.
3. Are there things a PC can do that a Mac can't? Like I said, I'll be starting uni, and I just need a notebook for work/research/papers/mail and all that. Nothing fancy, just enough for essays and the internet and the odd project/presentation and such.
4. One of my friends (new Mac-user) warned me that certain websites either turn out wonky or are entirely inaccessible on a Mac. Have any of you run into this problem? And if you have, does it happen frequently?
Eek. Sorry this is so long. I am just a little anxious about making the switch. Any help would be much appreciated
Also, I'm looking at the educational offer (free iPod with the iBook/Powerbook etc until the 24th of September). The only thing is, I just read the terms and conditions and they say this:
"You must order and take possession of qualifying products from June 28th, 2005 through September 24th, 2005". Does this mean that I must have received my iBook before the 24th? Because, all along, I assumed I had until the 24th to make my order. iBooks take around two weeks to be delivered, right?

1. Everyone keeps telling me that there are heaps of applications that don't work on a Mac. I don't care about software for gaming and design and all that. I just need the basics (word processing, internet, whatever stuff I'll need for school) and I've checked that all the applications that I'll need (that I can think of) are available on Macs, but I'm afraid that I've missed some out. So, I just wanted to know if any of you Mac users have run into the problem of not being able to use a certain software. (Apart from gaming/specialist software).
You'll be surprised how much great software comes bundled with an iBook. Kicks the pants out of the equivalent pc bundled software. Even some of the pro apps that you can get for pc's can't hold a candle to the mac bundled software. I've never had any problem getting a hold of software to do what I've needed.
2. The main reason I want a Mac is because I've heard/read so much about its stability etc. Is the Mac really as stable/virus-free etc as it's made out to be? (I'll admit, looking around this discussion are makes me a little worried, even if its only a small percentage of Mac users experiencing problems) My parents are very very against me getting a Mac ("Why don't you just stick with something familiar?") so if I get one and it screws me over, I will never ever hear the end of it from my parents, heh.
Absolutely stable. No blue screen of death. I've had apps crash but never has it ever crashed my ibook. The os keeps ticking. When you get yours let your parents use it. I'm sure they'll have one in no time. The reality is it's a computer but it does the job much better than a pc.
Are there things a PC can do that a Mac can't? Like I said, I'll be starting uni, and I just need a notebook for work/research/papers/mail and all that. Nothing fancy, just enough for essays and the internet and the odd project/presentation and such.
None that I'm aware of. In fact it would probably be the opposite. Things like expose, dashboard, quartz extreme, true plug and play (no drivers required inmost cases). For the purposes you listed above you will be in computing heaven.
One of my friends (new Mac-user) warned me that certain websites either turn out wonky or are entirely inaccessible on a Mac. Have any of you run into this problem? And if you have, does it happen frequently?
Occasionally Safari has problems opening certain web pages but Apple has been doing a good job of keeping on top of that. Internet explorer is availble in a Mac version if you want to go that route. Curious about your friend has he/she updated to the most current version of Safari. I've yet to encounter a page that I've had problems with.
Eek. Sorry this is so long. I am just a little anxious about making the switch. Any help would be much appreciated
Go get one and ease you anxiety!
See some of the other switcher posts in this discussion board, There's a great one by Brian Reading in "why is it hard to convince ppl to buy Mac?"
Best wishes

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