Don't get a MacBook Pro right now--various signs point to new models being released within a month or so. They'll likely be better machines for the same price, and the old models may go on clearance sale as well.
When/if he does buy, he should be sure to get the education discount if he qualifies. If not, Amazon.com often has good discounts on Apple products.
I once avoided Macs (when they were overpriced and lacked certain capabilities) but had to use them for a job. I currently do all my business and home computing on a Mac. That includes game and app development (targeting both Mac and Windows), Web design, 2D and 3D graphics and animation, audio and video editing, business management (word processing, spreadsheets, calendar, email), personal music and photo management, various hobby projects and playing games. (And Windows runs very well on my Mac when I wish to test the things I build for my Windows customers. Everything on my old PC migrated to my Mac just fine.)
I get questions about Macs a lot these days, and this is how I see it:
Summary of Mac benefits
* Up front cost is often cheaper than a truly comparable PC model (looking at the full specs and bundle) and seldom much more expensive. Total lifetime cost is much lower for a Mac (taking into account low support/service costs, long usable lifetime and high resale value).
* Macs can also run Windows, so they offer everything a PC offers in addition to everything a Mac offers. Macs have more software to choose from since PCs cannot run Mac apps, but Macs can run Windows apps. Macs can also run Linux.
* Macs are very compatible with PCs, using the same file formats, networks, connections and peripherals. Files and discs can be freely shared between Windows and Mac, so it's easy to use PCs and Macs together or migrate from one to the other. Popular apps like Firefox, Skype and Microsoft Office are available for Mac, as well as open-source Office clones (like NeoOffice) that read and write Office and Word files for free.
* Max OS X is the most advanced desktop operating system available, and completely different from the classic 80s/90s Macs many people remember. Mac OS X is based on the proven UNIX operating system. It is very modern and efficient, and technologically far ahead of Windows Vista, offering more features with less hassle, fewer steps, and better support for open standards. Vista is still largely based on older versions of Windows, has faced years of setbacks, and as a result has not advanced nearly as quickly as Mac OS X. Vista also costs much more than OS Xespecially the "Ultimate" version (not included with most PCs) that offers all of Vista's features. OS X only has one version, with all features included. At the same time, Vista has caused enough problems that many people have gone back to the 7-year-old Windows XP, which is even farther behind Mac OS X.
* Macs tend to be easier to use, less prone to crashes and failures, and much, much easier to troubleshoot if something does go wrong. Basic operation is much the same as people are used to with Windows, and the details that are different do not take long to get used to.
* Macs have no viruses or spyware, for reasons (including the UNIX foundation) that will remain true for a very long time. Mac OS X is a good choice for protecting your files and your privacy. That also means that Macs don't need anti-virus and anti-spyware software running all the time, slowing things down or annoying the user with constant obscure questions/warnings (as Vista is known for if you don't disable those new security features).
* Macs come with an excellent software bundle, especially for photos, video, and music (iLife). PCs often come loaded with trial software that is very limited if you don't pay, and no consumer media software exists for Windows that is as easy to use as iLife.
* Mac problems from the 90s have long since gone away. Macs no longer cost more, no longer have limited software to choose from, and are now highly compatible with Windows. Macs have become common, so support is easy to find.
In my experience, those who advise against Macs are often not knowledgeable about modern Macs or Mac OS X, and still believe certain often-repeated myths. They may have spent little or no time with modern Macs, and recommend Windows (understandably) because it's what they have always known. Most people buy Windows without even thinking seriously about alternatives. I find that those who recommend Macs, on the other hand, tend to have siginificant experience with both Windows and Mac, giving them the basis for an informed choice.
As a result, searching online turns up thousands of very positive reviews by people who have switched from Windows to modern UNIX Macs, but very few who have switched by choice from UNIX Macs to Windows. There are good reasons why people tend to switch in one direction and not the other.
No computer or OS is perfect, and there are certainly reasons to choose Windows or Linux, depending on your needs. In certain circumstances I'd still recommended a Windows PC, even today. But for most users, I am convinced that in recent years Macs have become the best choice. The simplest solution for most PC users would be to wait until they were going to buy a new PC anyway, then get a Mac instead and simply keep their old PC on the side until they find they no longer use Windows (or until they install Windows on the Mac).