I have $1500 for a new laptop, but which should I buy?

My wife and I would be very happy with the new Macbook, and with its slick look and near immunity to virus', it would definitely be worth the money. We have nothing against PCs, and a nice HP could do us well too. Another option is to buy 2 less expensive notebooks; we'd love to have our own computers. Again, an Apple is ideal, but what are the perks of PCs? Further, what would we be sacrificing in getting a $600-$700 counterpart?