Why are there so many Mac users?

Mac OSX is based on "Free BSD" (Berkley Software Distribution) that derived from Unix. It is even more stable than Unix for the following reason (quote from Wikipedia):

"FreeBSD is a complete operating system. The kernel, device drivers and all of the userland utilities, such as the shell, are held in the same source code revision tracking tree, whereas with Linux distributions, the kernel, userland utilities and applications are developed separately, then packaged together in various ways by others."

MacMini 2008 sees full 4GB of memory. That's what I have (Corsair low latency memeory)

If EAC is the reason to stay with PC then there is software for Mac called MAX (free I believe) that not only does it better (CDParanoia algoritm with option "do not skip") but also translates any format to any format and downloads covers (read about CDParanoia in Wikipedia).
It can take Metadata from Itunes and output result to Itunes.

Let me give you example how bad Windows is. Every time new program brings new version of certain DLL (dynamic link library) older programs might stop working because it has the same name and new DLL was not fully tested with existing programs or older programs depended on "bugs" in DLL. Even if DLL is in separate (program) directory things might go wrong when path changes. I had 5 different versions of the same DLL in different location with the same name. Apple's solution is simple - gives files different names. I'm using my Mac Mini for over a year without single crash and without antivirus software. The only viruses for Mac, as far as I know, are viruses for Windows applications like Office that Mac executes in "sandboxes" where they cannot get outside.

As for ease of use - I bought big book on MAC OSX and never opened it - it is that easy. Now I'm sorry that I didn't switch earlier and that I have to use Windows at work (where every single day stupid Windows installs the same update because it cannot recognize that it is already installed).

Paulsax - I went thru all DOS and Windows version in last 25 years nad now have Mac Mini for about a year. Oh my God - what a difference. The problem is not only that Windows is clumsy and unstable but that Microsoft doesn't fix their own mistakes - they just publish bugs on their website but nothing is done. Windows XP cannot, for instance, make backup to CD but it can backup to floppy (bug published on their website). It wasn't fixed from beginning of Win XP and most likely still isn't. I had to unistall Norton from my work computer because was hanging up fighting with Windows for resources.

You say that Windows 7 is way better - I heard this after every Windows release. I suspect that they don't even want to fix bugs in order to sell next version.

New 64 bit Snow Leopard takes 100MB less of a disk space while Windows takes more - it makes you think.

If you really have to use Windows with constant hang-ups and cryptic error messages better be very familiar with software and computers. If you're new to computers - forget it and get MAC.

"The new OS for both platforms requires more RAM, more HD free space and more processor power than ever (even though streaming music is not really processor/memory intensive)."

No, new Snow Leopard requires 100MB less disk space than Leopard. Also Snow Leopard runs faster - check here: http://www.macworld.com/article/142425/2009/08/snow_leopard_performance.html

As for firewire - in general firewire is peer-to-peer network where devices are inteligent and can negotiate bus conflicts. USB is a Master-Slave architecture where devices are dumb. Firewire has separate processing unit and can make transfers without loading main processor while USB always slows down processing (depends on main uP).

Jax2 - I don't really have feel for the disk space required by new OS since I installed it not so long ago.

As for Firewire, I did not intend to give, as you call it, "lesson" on network protocols (I'm hardware guy) but rather point out the main difference that might affect computer operation. In my system, for instance, heavy usage of computer's processor might impede on USB transfers but won't make any difference to Firewire transfers. I also like the fact that Firewire is a daisy chain thing and doesn't require hubs or multiple connectors and cables coming from computer. My three external drives connect to each other and only one wire comes to computer. This is not a "lesson" - I just stated what I like (and YES I think you're worthy - feel better).

Tbg - Yes I've noticed it. I was nicely surprised with Snow Leopard. Only $29 and easy flawless installation.