That's true for people who don't know what they are doing on their computers. I have met a lot of people who would complain about the slow downs, occasional disconnections from the Internet or from their LAN, etc. I would check their computer and find that they have 300+ spywares on their computer and I would be like Holy Beezlebub! Installed Spy Bot, Ad-Aware and some other programs that might be needed to fix certain issues (i.e. LSPfix fixes your internet connection, it can be altered by a spyware/adware). Took care of the problem and weeks later, same problem arises after giving them specific instructions not to do this and that. They still go back to their old habits (i.e. looking up porno, clicking on jpeg based pixs that looks like Windows XP message boxes, "Your computer has been infected, click here to run a spyware scan!" all that b.s.). Personally, I think MACs are good for people who are computer illiterate and do not know what they are doing on the Internet. If you do know what you are doing and you are 100% sure of it, then you can use a PC but don't blame the other people/places you've gone to because of the problems, it's your fault because you didn't read carefully, didn't research on that or do whatever to ensure that it's 100% safe to move on. Your PC dies because of you and not because of other people. Just be like a parent and treat your PC as a child. That's why there's the Mac, they made it easy for people to use without worrying or confusing themselves with the computer lingo. Of course, another reason why it's good is because of their ability to draw clear pictures as well as execute a lot of complicated instructions while using Photoshop or JASC Photopaint (whatever that program is called).
BTW, Reba, I'm not really familiar with the Mac inner-architecture, but since your onboard Ethernet port got fried, should there be a jumper/switch that allow you to disable the onboard Ethernet port and let you install an expansion Network Interface Card (NIC)? It should let you do that, if it can't let you do that, then I'd go for the PC because of its flexibility. You can add/delete whatever you want and given the correct, clear and concise instructions, you will be back online in seconds. 
