I'm thinking about getting a second-hand Mac...

I have always been using Windows, and have been thinking about getting a second-hand Intel iMac or Macbook.

But are Macs really that fast? Compared to a Windows XP PC, are Macs faster and more smooth?

Programs that I would use include: Opera web browser, Micorosft Office, MSN Messenger, iTunes, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Dreamweaver – how do all these programs work on an Intel Mac?

Am I able to get a reasonably good Mac for around $800 (in Australia)?

Also, how much RAM and what GHz would you recommend I need to comfortably run Leopard?

Anything else I should know?