Stuck on Repeats

[Jack Manfred]

So I need a new computer. The desktop I'm using to type this is about 7 years old and runs Windows XP. It's slow and cranky.

I mostly use my home computer to surf the web and to hold my music library. I had about 80 GB on my iTunes before I had a catastrophic failure about 2 years ago. I haven't re-ripped my CD collection, but plan to do so when I get a new computer.

Now that Microsoft has released Windows 8, I'm thinking it's time to get a new computer. I don't need a laptop (especially because I'm also considering getting an iPad too). Are any of you using Windows 8 on either a desktop or laptop?

I know some of you swear by Apples, and they look nice in the stores, but they're expensive, and I don't know if it's easy to back everything up to an external drive. Cost is an issue, but I don't want to get whatever's on sale at WalMart.

So...

Mac or PC?
Laptop or Desktop?
How do I store all my music and avoid another catastrophic failure?

Thanks in advance.

Jack