I use a macbook pro for my work. I have it partitioned to run Windows 7 as well as Mac OSX that way I can use Windows for programs such as 3ds, Rhino, and AutoCad. I use Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign with the Mac partition because I like the interface better. As for the AutoCad version for Mac, I tried it out but I didn't like the changes they made so I'm sticking with Windows for CAD. I'm sure you can get a PC with the same specs for a bit cheaper but I like having the option to use both platforms on my Mac and have it backed with apple's great customer care. 

the processors, RAM, and ROM are all the same now in PCs and Macs.  There is a difference in the OSs, and I don't know enough to know if this makes a legitimate, significant difference.  I've been told it does, and I've been told it does not when compared to Windows 7, so I'm not really sure.  But, Apple mobile and desktop workstations come with ATI graphics cards, and these work really well with some drawing and modeling applications, and can be very buggy and crash-prone with others.  I personally use one piece of modeling software that is known to have issues with ATI drivers.   If you read reviews of graphics cards, or search software forums, you'll find that some software works remarkably well with ATI GPUs, most it doesn't matter, and some has real issues.

50/50 PC and Mac at my school.  And yes, internally they have the same exact components, all that differs is the shell and the OS.  This whole "Mac is better for architecture and graphics" is flat out false - they make a fine product, but they're just computers.  And you're most likely going to have to run bootcamp on it and use Windows anyways.  Personally I'll take the substantial savings and ease of use and keep using my trusty PC's...

Talk to a competent computer dealer / reseller and figure out what specs and graphic card you're going to need.

Absolutely NO DIFFERENCE!!   Anyone that tells you otherwise is a fool and fanboy.

*the reason is because, way back when, Apple's were the only one with a true graphic interface (pre Windows95).  This made it more intuitive (or so the sales people would tell you, as they have always cost more than a comparable PC) and therefore better for the "creative" types.

Beyond that, it is utter bullshit (personally, I've never heard anyone suggest that one was better than the other, just personal preferences).  

**let's not be surprised to find CS6 running just a tad faster on Windows!  After Job's deliberate annihilation of Flash, I would certainly wouldn't be surprised.

Thanks everyone for the replies! If I were to go the PC route, does anyone have the specs on their comp that they use for internship or school?

Lenovo w520 with i7 cpu, nvidia gpu ( gamer or pro), 8gb ram minimum,

Thanks!

If you're going to buy a new machine, it probably makes sense to wait until you're about to actually start school. Assuming you're applying for the fall, you've got a good 8-9 months until then. If you wait until then you will likely be able to get a significantly higher-end machine for the same money you would be paying now.

For the portfolio, as long as you currently have access to a computer that will run InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, you should be fine.