I'm feeling a little unstable right now...

So, I have been thinking about the whole Apple mac thing. I have mentioned the fact that our next home computer might be a macintosh to several folks and I get weird looks. Yeah, I'm a feeler, a people pleaser, a throw it out there and see what you say kind of guy at times. Yes, I'm testing the water and yes, I've been barked at. I just want to know...
1. Does a mac have greater stability than a typical PC running windows XP?
2. Is a mac really easier to use?
3. Does a mac come ready to plug and play as they say? If so, is it easier to plug in your video camera and record and burn CD's/DVD's.
4. Does it have greater potential than a PC running "Cool Edit Pro" or what they now call "Adobe Audition?"
5. Are Word and Excel files really compatible?

Answer me that my man. I truly want to know.

So, I'm in search mode. I'm gonna find out if under the stylish Apple packaging these machines are better. If they are, I admit I have been duped. Otherwise, I guess I can keep my Windows smugness intact and pray that one day they really are better!