1. Windows 8 is fine. Windows 8.1 is even better, but at this point I'd just wait until Windows 9 is announced, which is apparently at the end of the month.

2. This is true, but it depends on if you want OSX specifically or not.

3. This depends. Macs are so reliable because it's one OEM making a few select models. Most other OEMs have way more models to choose from. Some will obviously be low-end and break easily, while others will survive a semi-truck running over them.

4. Again, this depends. My Lenovo is currently going strong, despite some case damage (I dropped my backpack which had the case my laptop was in... the case had holes in it though). Some Macs will need to be repaired within even the first month; this really applies to all electronics.

TL;DR if you want OSX, get a Mac. You can install Windows or even Linux on it later. Otherwise, wait until the end of the month if you can.

That depends on why you want a laptop. For example, within my own college, that would be an awful choice because everyone uses MS Office 2013, Windows software, etc; if it's for college or business, find out what the standard is for your specific setting. If it's for personal use, then Macbooks are some of the highest-end choices for a reasonable income and can have great benefits. However, don't get one now - wait until October like others have said.

This full paragraph brought to you by the powers of ~procrastination~

You can run Mac OSX on a Windows computer: I think people forget that because I have a Mac OS on my computer and Windows 8.1

Don't buy HP, believe me.

Okay, considering this.