Graphic designer looking to switch BUT...

You could go either way. But if you go with the toshiba now, and then get a mactel, you'll be spending more money then if you just went with a mac right now.

While I am somewhat unfamiliar with the programs you listed (I have used them, but as my field is network design, not extensively), I have to say that my vote - at this point - may well be for the Macintosh computer.

I don't say this because of the usual "Mac Zealot" kind of thing, but because the ease of use and current lack of offensive software (Offensive as in, offensive weaponry) that is rampant for OS X would probably lead to a much less frustrating work environment.

The switch to Intel is largely irrelevant at this point, if you're looking to buy a computer. While the starry-eyed will proclaim that we'll see a Yonah Powerbook by May next, I personally find this extremely unlikely. Moreover, Apple - certainly not alone as a hardware vendor - has a lot of issues with Revision A hardware, which is why I would personally advise caution. The current PowerPC-based Powerbook line is, if I recall, in Revision D - it is now a stable, mature platform that is highly reliable. Additionally, software will be available for both Intel and PowerPC platforms for years to come - this from The Steve's own keynote, so I feel it's a pretty good thing to believe.

It seems that many journalists and graphic designers also favour Macintosh computers over their PC counterparts - not being in the industry I am somewhat unsure as to why, but it seems it must be a fairly ironclad reason.

Powerbooks are much more expensive, yes - but I believe that their overall quality in terms of software, support, and actual physical build quality - is more than worth it. Powerbooks also come with a bevy of additional little extras that just make it a nicer computer to play with - the Ambient Light Sensor system is oddly compelling, once you get to play with it. While I won't say anything bad about an 1100-dollar Toshiba, I believe that the Apple machine would outshine it in several areas.

Your mileage will, of course, vary. My advice would be to skip the Toshiba and pick up a Powerbook (or iMac, depending on how much your computer will travel - the iMacs are much more Computer Per Dollar), which should last you for a significant period of time - there are many TiBook owners who have machines dating back to the 500-800MHz era that claim Tiger runs perfectly on their machines. I personally have a G3 iBook at 333MHz that seems to run Panther 10.3.9 with a remarkable aplomb, so I would not expect a Powerbook of the current generation to become obsolete in the near future.

A revision A Macintel PowerBook will be better than a revision D PPC PowerBook only as far as it's specs go. The big problem with Apple's revision A hardware is that there are a lot of problems as far as hardware failure goes. You avoid the revision As while they work out the bugs.

If you need a laptop just get one. A PPC Mac will last you a long time, and it'll be at least 2 years before the revision B Macintel PowerBooks are out and by that time you'll be wanting a new laptop anyway.

what's been said is true re: PPC Macs, but w/ re: to Mactels there may be the possibility that the systems will have greater reliability from the start. my hopes are that in moving to intel there will be less of an issue w/ problems given that even "new" CPUs and controllers will be extensions of an already mature architecture. when yonah comes around it'll be the 3rd generation of the PM platform. if the low end systems get the current crop of tech, they'll be sitting on a solid and tested sonoma technology. (oddly we don't seem to hear that much about issues w/ 1st generation iterations of Dell/compaq/sony/etc notebooks, when compared to the issues w/ 1st gen Mac notebooks. ppl just buy them when they come out). then again, if Apple goes all crazy on making their custom mobos, then yes, Rev. A machines will likely be problematic.