I chose a basic MacBook with 2 GB memory. I've had incident of weirdness but for the most part it does indeed "just work". For example it recognized my printer w/o requiring any CDs with device drivers and such.

I sprung for the new Leopard operating system which pissed me off a bit because there was no discount for recent laptop purchasers. I bought a USB attached Western Digital Passport drive for backups. It recognized it and immediately gave you the option to make it a backup drive, etc. You do have to tolerate idiotic names like Time Machine for this function. Apple makes up weirdo names for all devices as well.

Other than higher initial expense, I'm a happy camper!

One reason I didn't go the Linux route is that you have to pay the Microsoft tax for Vista which you would then blow away. You have to get some questionable minor brand of laptop to avoid that Microsoft tax.