Why do people use Macs?

Because, they want the ease of use of Ubuntu AND a library of apps. Windows is not considered 'user-friendly', though I have no trouble with it. It effectively grants some of the safety of Linux or FreeBSD, the ease-of-use of Ubuntu Linux, and a good amount of apps (more than Linux). Also, the hardware is pretty good. NVIDIA created the 9400M GPU for Apple, and it was the fastest integrated solution on the market when it came out. Apple's hardware isn't too shabby. But what it all comes down to is what you like. I happen to prefer Apple laptops over others because I need the battery, it's a powerful 13'' notebook, and I can do all my graphics work (and run Linux in a VM for kernel patching) on it, without any trouble. It simply works for me. If it didn't work for me, I would get an HP or Toshiba. But it does, so that's the end of that. But that's not to say I want Mac OS everywhere I go. I have Windows Vista on a desktop I built (yes, I prefer building my own desktops, and yes, I like Windows Vista. It's Windows 7 with a different GUI with some driver updates. The kernel is the same.) and it works great. It also can boot up into Ubuntu, but I don't do that very often because Ubuntu doesn't have drivers for my USB-attached NIC. I'm working on it, though, and I'm writing my own. The problem is, though, code I write pretty much has an error a line. But, to answer your question, and to go off on random tangents, people use Mac OS because they like it, and it works for them. Period.

You're obviously quite ignorant.

The hardware used in Macs are no different than whats used in most PCs.

Some people prefer OSX over Windows and Linux; what they use it for doesn't matter.

The only software that is lacking is games.

And how can any task be preformed easier on any OS? It all depends what the user prefers.

The Macintosh OS is sleek and just works. No worrying about something not working and if it doesn't I can just take it to the Apple Store and get a solution within minutes. The software is fine except for the lack of games but I use consoles so I don't care.

The OS is very simple and easy to use, and now, with the Mac App Store, apps are easier to install than ever.

I prefer OS X, because it is arguably the best for people who do editing of any kind (whether it be video, audio, iOS apps, etc.). Another thing that makes Macs "better" is the reliability.

There are very few viruses for Mac OS X, and the ones you encounter (at least in the first quarter of 2011) are few and far between. If you are looking for antivirus, Sophos is giving away one. I have used it, but, of course, nothing showed up. I have found it to be very minimalistic compared to most other types of anti-virus software out there. Another one that is free is located inside of the Mac App Store (called "VirusBarrier Express"), and it's worked fast and well for the tests that I've put it through.

Another thing that I find great about Macs (the MacBook/MBP/MBA line in particular) is that they get fantastic battery life. I am lucky to squeeze out an hour and a half on the laptop that I currently own, and that is with the brightness turned almost all of the way down (and I even use the CPU Frequency Scaling Monitor inside of Ubuntu to keep my CPU down to the lowest setting which is 800 MHz).

Yet another thing that makes Macs "better," is that they look better. Not only do they look better than most of the competition, but they are built better.

It's used by a lot professionals
It's pretty self-explanatory. Most of the Hollywood professional video editors/film makers use Macs to make movies that can amaze you, and both touch you in an emotion that you've never felt before.

It's constantly getting better
With the release of OS X Lion coming out later this year, you are going to be using a desktop operating system like you never had before. Innovation is a constant goal with Apple. Also, you are not limited to a confined style. For instance, take a look at the Twitter app that was released inside of the Mac App Store. You are not limited to just making an app to where you have to use a window border at the top. You can make it wherever you want, and this really give developers a chance to be creative.

It's fast
Mac OS X handles RAM in a different way than what most operating systems use. They use this thing called "Inactive RAM." Inactive RAM is RAM that was previously used by an application, but the user quit the application making it free to use if the operating system needs it. This Inactive RAM keeps logs quietly, and if you open up the application up in the near future, it will open up faster.
Also, the operating system really takes advantage of the hardware; thus making the experience faster and smoother.

You don't necessarily pay for the hardware. Heck, you can build your own computer for half of the price with nearly double the specs, but you get an experience that is like no other.

You get what you make of it. If you think that it's the worst thing ever made, no one can truly convince you that OS X is the best operating system ever.

I guarantee that if you don't use any other computer (besides a Mac) for a full week, you will think differently of it. You will find some features better than what other operating systems, and you will find things that it lacks. In my mind, the benefits really outweigh the problems, but if you will let your own bias leave you for a week, I know that you will look at things differently.

Looks like a recent answer already figured out pictures but I will leave some screenshots of OS 10.6.6 throughout the answer so you can really see how sleek and cool it is. Someone mentioned the apps which will really be big now with Mac App Store. Also so easy to launch apps. My two favourites are the Dock and a free app called Alfred (available on the Mac App Store) but you can also use spotlight. Screenshots below.

Last would have to be the looks of the machine itself I just sometimes like to look at mine and say wow...

There are many reasons to pick a Mac over Windows, but only a few reason to pick a Mac over Linux. What I don't like about the Mac is the Finderbar with the application menus at the top of the screen. You cannot use X Follows Mouse on a Mac because when the application loses focus the menu changes. Secondly, I find the Lenovo IBM notebooks with trackpoint easier to navigate than a touchpad and these laptops last for years with little or no maintenance. No trackpoint on a Mac laptop. Furthermore, Mac notebooks are somewhat more expensive than others but personally that doesn't bother me. Apple charges extra for no glare screen and you would have to get the 17 in. MacBook Pro to get as good a resolution as my 15.4 T-60 which for a 15 inch it does 1680x1050 - better than any 15 Mac notebook. The base iMac however is an excellent deal for an all-in-one desktop with wireless keyboard if you do not plan on using any expansions or other hardware which may require a full blown tower computer. As for the OS itself, except for the fact that Linux distros keep freaking changing, Linux with Gnome or KDE is as good as it gets. My personal favorite OS is Ubuntu Linux 10.04 with Gnome. The only real sacrifice is no Safari for Linux, but Firefox works great. What these Apple lovers don't tell you is a Mac can crash too and it does. I hope you have enough information to make a decision, good luck.

I'm happy with Ubuntu, been using it since 8.04.The only ting I want is Itunes 10.Other than that I would never buy a mac.

Pretty much Macs have the best Software and Hardware Configuration that works well, very Secure too

because they see one and go OMG shiny! and will pay anything to have one.

Because OS X is as fast as linux, almost as secure as linux and much easier to use than any other OS. People just don't want to keep updating drivers, security issues and that shit... Softwares are just as good as windows, the battery lasts forever, the system is much stable, no freezes, no restarts, when you close the macbook and then open it again it starts fast, it boots fast... And it almost doesn't get hot, no air vents under it. At least that's why I changed a Dell for a Macbook :D