I was thinking the same thing as jdg. While I appreciate the suggestion, and will mention it to my brother if he ever decides he can't stand windows anymore, I don't think I have the skill to switch operating systems without screwing something up. It's one thing to trouble shoot systems I know how to operate, it's quite another to change the operating system altogether. That and this laptop is on it's last legs. Even if I didn't screw anything up, there's a good chance that the laptop itself would crash. Right now the battery is shot (so I have to use the plug) and I have to use a USB wireless router because the inboard one crapped out.
I just pray it keeps going for awhile longer. I don't have the money to buy another laptop, regardless if it's PC or Mac.