When i used to have Winblows. I changed machines - custom built ones every 2-3 years, it usually cost more than a Mac putting together a machine with fast and good PC parts, Then i go into HackinTosh, soon enough migrated to OSX the next year. Guess what, Not only a mac machine is cheaper, since i don't change a mac that often. In a long run, i save money more than the stupid and slow as Winblows.

Answer to your questions. Mac hardware gets bit slower in time as well, but not progress and noticeable as Winblows. With Winblows, you pay expensive hardware for inferior OS, every bit of your investment are used to battle virus, spam and malware protection, you end up spend more time dealing with problems than actual works. Hey, that's why i changed winblows every 2-3 years. My last Mac pro lasts about 7 years!

Sure there are learning curve switching system but OSX is as simple and easy as it gets. With Mac, it's all about simplicity and the OS expect the users are tech savvy - that's what i like about MAC. they don't keep seeking user permission on every freaking changes - I found that dumb and a waste of time going though number of steps to do a simple task in Windows. Furthermore, features and functions are hardly changed over the years, new OS are free upgrade and old machines are capable to run new OS without significant discount in resource like Windows. Less time in dealing with updates, virus scan, formatting, devices driver and compatibility... well, you name it.

AS a coder that works 12-14 hours on computers, and photographers that process images and 4K videos on a Mac. I don't know i can take it if i wake up tomorrow and Mac disappear in thin air with nothing but Dumbass Windows left to work with. I might have to kill myself! One minute with windows is another minute wasted.

Any softwares you think you probably need in Windows, you can get a Mac version just fine and guess what. Mac 3rd party of free applications, doesn't packs massive bloatwares like those with windows versions.

People never used a Mac think it's stupid to pay more for the same PC hardwares and Mac users are sheep with more money to spend.... who cares?? i save more money with Mac, get more works done with Mac and make more money with Mac.

Now, ask youself these, do you really need a portable? what about iMac or Mac Pro? the next iMac refresh is expecting in months with Kaby Lake Processors and i expect it would be a major upgrade since Tim Cook hints the next Mac would be a significant upgrade.

Doubtful. They are behind schedules already, you are talking about millions dollar share value drop if they miss a full cycle of Mac.