Had the same PC for 6 years. Never crashed, never BSOD, never slow, never have to reboot it. Power supply died last year, got it replaced for 70 bucks.
All this "PC users have to buy twice" is utter bullshit.
In my experience, I kept upgrading my laptops to different models each year. I ended up buying a refurb macbook pro directly from apple, with applecare, for $1200. Its been great.
I just couldnt stand the way all the new PC laptops were, for one, and I hated Vista. All the new PC's looked like electric shavers.