<p>I am the Apple Campus rep for USC and an incoming freshman, so I can probably be of some help here (albeit with a slight bias). </p>
<p>Bottom line, if you get a Mac you have the best of both world's. Macs now run Mac OSX and Windows. You cannot do this on a PC. With a Mac you can have complete access to Mac OSX, which is virus free and WAY faster than Windows. Many also consider it far more user friendly, and it comes preloaded with awesome software called iLife (iPhoto, iMovie, iCal, iDVD, iWeb, and Garageband). </p>
<p>You will then also have full access to Windows. Since Macs are fully supported at USC, and since Microsoft Office is also made for Mac, you really shouldn't need this. But should the need arise, you have full access to it, viruses, error messages, crashes, and all. </p>
<p>You actually get $200 of of a regular Macbook at the USC campus store right now if you purchase Applcare with your Macbook. Applecare is $183 for students (with the extra $100 discount it's essentially costing you $83). It is essentially Apple's 3 year warranty, always a great idea for a portable unit. It will cover service at the on-campus repair center, no need to trek to an Apple Store. </p>
<p>Also, I was researching the HP to try to provide you with a good comparison, but there are several versions of that line available. Could you list the specs of the HP?</p>
<p>I can definitely tell you that the graphics card in the HP is better. The Macbook has no graphics card, and instead creates a virtual one from RAM. The HP has a dedicated one but it is a GeForce 6150, which is REALLY old. Even the low end imacs are using 7300s and the Macbook Pros are using 8600s. </p>
<p>The HP site also does not mention bus or ram speed anywhere, so crucial components for performance. Usually when these are not listed it means they are clocking at 533mhz. Apple's clock at 667 mhz, and noticeably faster speed. </p>
<p>On HPs site, all but the highest model only included Wireless a/b/g cards. The macbook includes a/b/g/n, N is the new standard is is 5x faster than G, so you will be missing out on that speed when the N standard starts to proliferate. </p>
<p>The HP screen is smaller (12.1 vs. the Macbook's 13.3), but it also weighs almost a pound less, which is undeniably an advantage.</p>
<p>If you can give us more details about the HP I can provide you with a little better comparison.</p>
<p>Beyond that though, I suggest talking to people you know who have bought Macs and HPs. I myself have had both, and obviously my preference has been made clear by my present occupation. Few PC users fall in love with their computers. Mac users almost always do. I have literally seen people cry when they were told their 5 year old iBook had to be replaced.</p>
<p>Macs also have way better support.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>