have to use OSX

go on and downvote me, but I had to say it :D

It's mostly *nix compatible, if you don't like OS X it's usually based on hate of Apple or unfamiliarity.

so why pay for their overpriced hardware and 10 adapters if I can just install Linux to have a 100% unix experience?

There's we go, Apple hatred. My 2011 Air has been the most reliable portable I've owned, it matched my old work Lenovo in stability. (although I do recall a necessary restart every so often on the Lenovo). Then look at form factor, only HP can match that form factor and those machines are junk. Then let's dive into OS X... I have yet to find modern GPU drivers and software that can even remotely match Windows or OS X on any Linux distribution. It's constantly getting better, but the driver stability/features just aren't there with the latest hardware. And Linux isn't at fault, it's the hardware vendors.

Regardless, Apple isn't for everyone. At work, I'd be ecstatic to have a Mac. If you really hate the OS just dual boot (if they'll let you) and be happy you've got decent hardware (SSDs are standard) and not some poorly configured HP or Dell.