Not me. I usually tell people to go with what they're comfortable with. I'm not going to push a Mac on someone who really likes Windows - I usually reserve that for when they're so sick and tired of Windows they're willing to try anything, or if they're genuinely intrigued by a Mac.

I also know you usually have a strict limit to what you can afford, so really the only attribute of a Mac I'd say would pay off for you is that it will last you for several years and keeps a lot of residual value. I had one particular Apple laptop for 5 years, and then finally sold it on ebay for $800 at that age when I purchased a new one. Of course I keep mine in near perfect condition. If you do it will outperform and outlast most PC laptops for years. Then again, you'd need to come up with around $1200 for it (basic aluminum 13" Macbook) so "outperform and outlast" is probably a low priority for you right now.

And if you tend to keep laptops less than mint condition, you're probably better off searching newegg.com (they have brand-name stuff) for something really cheap (like $400 to $500) and replacing it every couple years when it breaks. I kind of hate that the PC laptop market has become so "disposable", but for some people it works. It'll get you something affordable that works, and you can beat up if you like, because it won't be worth much in a year or two anyway.