Lost_Luggage34, you said:
I was expecting something having always been wary of the even numbered SPs under NT.
That's a surprise to me. Perhaps you mean NT 3.51.
NT4 didn't really come of age until SP4; SP5 I can hardly remember and SP6a took it up to the finish line as a solid OS within its limitations (eg no native USB). It's still running on countless Servers around the world.
NT4 was the mould for the success of 2000 and XP. Those who don't know this series, but only have experience of 9x and ME might justifiably regard the Mac as superior. In my struggle to decide whether or not to go Mac-wise I need the objective opinions of those with experience of XP and OS X.
Or is it not just about the OS but about the hardware as well? Have to admit that if it was just about styling, I'd run out and buy a Mac now.