I'm both a windows and Apple user, and I have to say that the reliability of Apple products is higher, because Apple is in control of both hardware and OS design - upgrades just work. Compare this with Windows OS upgrades, where you can't be sure if your hardware will even run the next version. I've had experience where some hardware component manufacturers don't even supply updated drivers for new Windows versions, so I had to buy a new component hat worked with the newer OS. I think Microsoft is trying to take Apple's lead in this regard with Surface. Whether it will bear fruit in the market place is another story.

Of course there's the risk of a single hardware/software vendor holding you to ransom for their products as there's nowhere else to shop, but Apple tends to remain vigilant of it competition and sets its prices accordingly, particularly for its software.