The SSD will only help disk performance. Any operations occurring in RAM will be hindered by the slower CPU.

I chose Mac because they are built better than the common PC / laptop. They have longer support (Good luck getting a driver for a new version of Windows on a 2-3 year old PC laptop). They tend to actually last longer. They have a really nice IPS screen, at a decent resolution. The trackpad is higher-end than anything I've used on a PC laptop. The software I need is available on it.

Yes, I'm paying a premium for it to last longer, to have a nice display, and to have well functioning input. When comparing Dell's laptops with high-res displays and SSDs, and matching CPUs, yes the Apple was more, but not by *that* much. Apple's refurb pricing (15-20% off) typically brought it to the same price point as the Dell, but I'm willing to bet the Apple one is better built, and will have longer support. The ultra-cheap PC laptops were typically missing something I felt was important.