Two questions from a Windows user:

I didn't say it was bad, but there is a point where you do need to move on.

lets put it this way may mac boots in 12sec, PC 30seconds, with the mac being only marginally faster than my PC.

Backwards compatibility is important. but sometimes to maintain a completive advantage changes need to be made, look at Vista, it wasn't bad because vista was bad... it wasn't well received because changes were made that broke many programs... which made people mad.

lets face it. OS X has a faster boot speed. but good luck running an apple app from 1995.

 

I've been a Windows user my whole life and know a decent amount about it compared to OS X. However, I do agree that Apple has made some nice innovations in their OS especially with expose and multi touch functionality for their trackpads (and also battery life). In addition, they've managed to incorporate sweet designs (Apple logo, sleek chassis, MagSafe, unibody aluminium) in their laptop line. But, I too agree that Apple's lack of backwards compatibility or older products not being able to receive the latest updates (how my iPod Touch 2G can't get iOS 4.3) is rather annoying. Apple obviously wants to do this so you'll buy their newest product which in turn boosts their revenue. I do intend to get another iPod Touch in a year or 2 so I can get the latest iOS and a larger HD size. I think that in a couple years I'd get a MBA or MBP because I'll find that the features of what Apple is bringing to the table is worth the switch to OS X. If I do need to use Windows, there's always the choice of using this laptop I'm typing on and/or using Parallels or VMFusion.

Regarding the OP's topic, here's what I think about each option.

MBP:
- Multi-touch functionality is excellent (Expose and other features)
- Long battery life compared to similar laptops (those without slice batteries)
- Good resale value
- Can run MS's version of Office suite on OS X

Dell:
- Windows OS in which the OP has more experience in
- Removable battery
- Trackpoint (especially if the OP uses it)
- MS Office in W7 is better than in OS X?

Here's some questions I would have if I were in this situation:
1) I've heard that the OS X's version of MS Office is horrible compared to the Windows version. If you think this would affect productivity, it would probably be smart to pick the Dell.
2) Can you sell the laptop later or does your work take it back when you're getting a new one?

 

Why? Seems terrible to lose compatibility regardless of what type of user you are. At worst, you just don't use it. At best, you can run stuff (and I do every day) from the 90's, or even 80's.

I personally didn't run across anything that broke in NT 6 (that wasn't already broken in NT 5 at least). I think for stuff that did, it's because developers were supposed to be coding stuff to run from a user account for years, but some didn't.

I'm also very disapointed Microsoft removed the 16-bit WOW from 64-bit NT 6. At least with that, most stuff that would need 16-bit would also run through a VM or the like, so it's not too horrible a situation for the moment.