Recommended Software

Tinman - The only difference between Mac and PC is that on Macs it is more difficult for the end user to create havoc.
I use both OSX and Windows 7 and they are both great in their own way. In my experience Mac hardware is not as reliable as some PCs from the larger manufacturers such as Dell or HP and certainly not for the premium you pay.
I support an enterprise level network with 1000's of PCs and the failure rate is fractions of a percent.

If you have a windows licence take a look at parallels desktop 8.
It allows you to safely run a windows environment within your Mac so you can still use some of the useful software on Windows.

The questions are what do you collect and what information do you want to have. I collect pre-1940 U.S. and use Excel. It is not uncommon for me to have 30-100 (or more) entries for a single cat number. The more specialized you become the less useful commercial stamp software becomes.

russ, do you have a 5,5a or 8 Yet?

Russ; I collect all U.S. Stamps...all years. One album for mint Commemoratives, one for mint definitives and BOB, and a Mystic 3 volume American Heirloom album for mostly "used" of everything. At age 65, I primarily want the software for my heirs, so they know what they have. I probably won't be nearly as specialized as you are. You certainly make a good point as far as the necessity of the type of software. Thanks. Larry