Is it true I can get what a Macbook does for much less with a PC instead?

As always, you pay for what you get. For about $1500 you can get a comparable Mac or PC. Although you can get a $500 PC that works well, it just isn't quite the same thing as an expensive computer. A MacBook Air or an ultrabook is probably perfect for school. Lots of universities like to work with Macs though. Play with them both, decide which you like. It's the only way to decide.

mac can run c+ and java, similar as the different laptop. at 1200 bucks, the macbook professional you're gonna get is going to be incredibly low end pc you could get some respectable gaming laptops for that value, the alienware lineup starts at that value. yet in case you in user-friendly terms want a laptop to youtube and facebook ur existence away with, get the crapbook.

Yes, Mac's are extremely overpriced. I would recommend a Toshiba z830. Amazing little computers and are extremely light, top end one is kinda pricey at around $1800 AUD but have pretty decent specs. Just look at ultrabooks in general and you should find that there are few PC's that will ever outprice a Mac

Asus makes a very slim, very light computer that is just as poerful, and in some xases more, for less than a macbook.air.