I switched from various Linux distributions in 2003 to Mac OS X, not so much because of the looks, but because it had support for Linux tools in addition to native support for apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, Cubase, Flash, and many more - basically the creative app building blocks. I still follow Linux news because I liked it as an OS, it just lacked some of the apps that were crucial for me. Nowadays app support has grown (Gimp is still no Photoshop though), but I can't say that I find any Linux distribution particularly visually attractive. I don't like elmentaryos much either - I think the current Ubuntu 12+ looks much better.
So for me, using a Mac (despite that nowadays I write Mac & iOS apps) was and is mostly about the software that wasn't available on other operating systems.
That dock showing favourites and applications that are open (with a dot below those that are) and that top notification bar are strangely familiar... Trying to place where I've seen them before.
So for me, using a Mac (despite that nowadays I write Mac & iOS apps) was and is mostly about the software that wasn't available on other operating systems.