This is just an experiment on my part. I've never had the stability issues that Microsoft gets so heavily dinged for to badly. It's not for lack of use either. I frequently add and remove software and am not always as careful as I should be about where I web surf. Being a Systems Administrator does help minimize the annoyance when problems do arise.

I want to find out for myself if the Macs are more stable, user friendly, etc. or if the hardcore Mac users are that way out of hatred of the Evil Empire that is Microsoft. Or both?

I believe that Mac both suffers and benefits form being more of a niche player. Suffers in that there is not nearly as much software written for it or hardware compatible with it. Benefits in that it is not as big a target for hackers and malicious code writers.

I've read/heard many other opinions on both sides (including my own) and have just decided to try to develop a more informed (through personal exp.) opinion about Macs.