Go for a new Mac Pro with 2 i7 Nehalems. Run Bootcamp on an added HD with Vista Business 64 bit. I have a 2nd generation Xeon 8-core (the newer, 3rd generation Mac Pro with the 2 i7 Xeons, multithreads like 16 cores -- 8-cores + 8 Hyperthreaded, simulated cores).

I own several quad-core, a few dual-core (1st generation) PCs, and 4 laptops. This is my first Mac. It's the highest quality, most stable PC I've ever owned.  Just add your own memory and HD, as Apple charges a reasonable -- almost bargin price for the basic box, but charges an arm and a leg for upgrades -- which are very easy to do (just slide the HD in, just pull out the memory trays, and plug in the memory).

Also, Apple's mouse stinks, and the keyboard is almost solid aluminum, but has chiclet keys. The Mac OS is lovely, and I prefer it to Vista, but alas, Vue runs only 32-bit on the Mac! Hence the Bootcamp option. Per Consumer Reports, Acer ain't so hot in the reliability dept., and Apple is # 1.

Quality should count., and my Mac has that in spades!