I usually install TweakUI on Windows, and disable "Windows Animation"(which makes minimizing/maximizing instant, unless apps ignore this -mostly MS software ).

It's slow like Windows Vista or 7 on slightly dated hardware. Unless one has a 'tricked out rig' it's nearly unbearable. My computer is several year olds and still idles the vast majority of the time(statistically, 80-90% of the CPU time is dedicated to the system idle process). I find it unthinkable to upgrade solely for an OS's GUI. Sure, when the time is right, then certainly pick the 'modern software' to go with the modern computer.

Ever since microprocessors hit 1 GHz there hasn't really been any real reason to go beyond that(for the vast majority of users). Which allows companies like Apple to release 'antiquated' hardware in a 'gimmick' form factor and call it revolutionary, or Intel to release Atom processors that have about as much bang as decade old tech(though, they certainly use less power).

My most recent experiences with Mac would be on a Mac Mini with OS X.5. Even with upgraded RAM the fairly powerful Intel Core 2 Duo was sluggish compared to WinXP on even an Intel P3! They seem to have updated the Mini's specs since then, but I can tell you I would most certainly never suggest purchasing a Mac Mini to anyone(based on my experiences) unless as a practical joke. Apples get to pay doubly for a UNIX-like environment bonded to commodity hardware. If you really want *nix there's FreeBSD(or variant) or Ubuntu(or variant, a form of GNU/Linux).

If you just want to be 'normal' then there is no choice, the choice was made for you(easy!). If you want to be just like that Justin Long (anti-suit, anti-normal) there's equally no choice. It's made for you.

Repeat reading from the top until you're no longer suffering from "urges for an iPad".