getting one for university, need for typing and internet and playing with photos

i'm ordering later tonight now that my dad has agreed to put in more or less half (within reason)

but i'm still slightly split

pros
PCs - i already know windows, have copies of office i could use and they're cheaper
Macs - more secure/reliable builds and OS; plus macos x > vista

cons
PCs - most deals seem intent on giving me vista, which i've come to understand isn't very good.
builds that burn out relatively quickly.
more suscepitable to infection
Macs - i've never one on before, iworks and openoffice etc not as good as office(?), THE PRICE