Well, I found a MicroATX PSU for a reasonable price.  The problem is I tested the system with a standard ATX PSU and it wouldn't POST.  The PSU tests out okay on my PSU tester, but I don't trust it. The PSU in question has done some weird things in the past.

 I need to purchase a PSU for backup testing because the PSU tester isn't foolproof.  Example: it said my nephew's PSU was fine and it wasn't.

Actually brand-name systems are getting very cheap...but unfortunately they are "cheap" in every sense of the word. 

A Compaq I worked on recently had a proprietary PSU that didn't fit any standard configuration. It also blocked access to the motherboard, so I had to pull it out before I could do much of anything. I couldn't find a list of specifications so I had to actually look on the motherboard for the type of chipset, integrated video and audio, etc.  That's another problem with brand names: They integrate everything so if your motherboard fries, you're out of luck.

Another pet peeve: Brand names try to make everything so compact that working on the system is a pain in the ass.  I guess auto mechanics experience the same thing with Japanese cars...you have to pull the whole thing apart just to fix some tiny thing.

I bought my first system, but since then I've rebuilt everything.  The only original equipment? A pair of very old speakers.  I'd like to get a better sound system, but the lady downstairs would likely kill me. I'm thinking about saving up for some 5.1 headphones, but that would be far into the future.  I have to figure out a way to pay for car repairs, first...sigh. 

Not a problem for me. I barely know how to turn the damn thing on.

Of course if I didn't already know that, how would I be on here every day?

It's just like buying a car. Convenience. Technically anyone with half a brain could build a more effecient and trustworthy vehicle than GM, Ford, Toyota, or any of the other companies. But the knowledge you'd need to do so is daunting. So people buy a GM instead of stock parts.

Our better yet just start specializing in LAMP based development. I used to be a java dev and always found a way to sneak linux on the scene. At my current job we went completely open source, running Rails and PHP primarily. It may be difficult but you can still fight against the M$ tide. 

How about gaming?  For me, that's one of the biggies.  I imagine Macs don't have much of a choice in video cards.  I also bet emulating Windows video games creates a big performance hit.  Try F.E.A.R. on a Mac and get back to me.

Other reasons I own a PC:

1. I like to tinker

2. I like to build my own

3. Access to more programs

4. I need to know how to fix Windows when it breaks 

I really can't afford to have both a PC and a Mac.  I recently upgraded and it about killed me financially because my car suddenly decided it needed $1500 worth of repairs.  I still haven't got the blasted car fixed.  I'm driving it with a messed up power-steering rack.  I just keep pouring fluid into it.

Too bad I don't know how to fix it myself, eh?  

I'm a PC gamer.

Recently I had this same "you really should switch to a Mac" discussion on another board. One of the Mac fanboys got really obnoxious, even when many of us PC gamers explained that Windows emulation of games caused a severe performance hit (as evidenced in a recent article in PC Gamer).

Here is the post I wrote in that forum:

That was in response to someone who told me I was "stupid" for not switching to a Mac.  I also put him on my ignore list.  That forum has 100,000 users and civility is very much lacking...sigh. 

Then stick with PCs. If anyone claims that you must get a Mac, that's bullshit. Stick with what works for you. This isn't a religion, you know.

I'm not much of a video gamer, so it's no big deal for me. Although I do love playing "real" games like Magic: The Gathering and Risk.

You know, the lack of a good Minesweeper on Mac bugs me too. But maybe it's a good thing, because I'd be even less productive than I already am.