Around the time I first met Paul, the Mac versus PC debate was very different. Conventional wisdom was full of stereotypes and the momentum was definitely with Intel and Microsoft. One idea involved interchangeable components. Upgrading the soundcard, or replacing the USB controller, or even the case and power supply were all very easy on the PC, but impossible on Macintosh.
The argument then (circa 1999) was that inexpensive, component-at-a-time upgrades were a competitive advantage. It was cheaper, you were getting more power and it gave the owner a sense of mechanical competence and control. Why lock in to one component for life? Apple didn't care about this, of course; they were doing something very different. But PC users, especially the nerdy ones with all the influence, were generally impossible to convert. It was too radical a departure from their usual approach.
It's analogous to amateur mechanics lamenting their inability to work on modern cars; too many computers, too complex. The Apple versus PC debate actually mirrors the auto industry in many ways. For example, Japanese cars went through a long period of general unreliability and low quality (Apple circa early 90s). American cars weren't exceptional, but generally performed satisfactory and could be easily repaired by the guy down the street (PCs pretty much anytime after 1984).
Japan changed the game when they developed supremely engineered, high quality models that ran for thousands of miles without ever opening the hood. This is what Apple has done in the last decade. Meanwhile, American automobiles caught up 10 years too late, while PC manufacturers are basically the same now as 20 years ago.
Technological improvements created all of this. Better components, parts and design meant things didn't break as quickly. Computers improved in similar ways, giving rise to what we see today: tightly integrated components. Almost everything is built onto the motherboard now and it's unfeasible to replace much yourself, except the hard disk or RAM. Apple, of course, was way ahead of the curve on this one.
This leads to the decreasing importance of hardware. I believe Apple's recent gains in sales were driven by great software. Starting with iTunes, then OS X, then every iLife app, savvy consumers have realized design and stability make for powerful, efficient computing. The combination is unbeatable and expect to see only more good news from Apple.
PS. If you're still one of those PC users living in 1994 and swearing by the build-your-own philosophy, I don't know what to say. Don't let obstinateness be the death of you. The definition of technology is change and attachment to the relics and myths of the past are the best way to guarantee yourself diminishing economic value. Same goes for Mac-heads: though on top now, you never know what lurks around the corner.