I bought my first MacBook Pro several years ago just to see what all the fuss was about and I would never switch back to a PC. Pound-for-pound, the MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops on the market. Compared to other similarly spec'ed computers, the MacBook is thinner and lighter with great battery life. (If I turn down the brightness and refrain from using processor-intensive programs, I do not have a problem running the laptop for a full 8-hour workday.) Beyond that, the retina display is beautiful and the internal SSD is blazing fast. The computer also has a strong Core i7 processor (although it is not Intel's latest model). Oddly enough, the thing about the MacBook Pro that I cannot live without is the glass touchpad. I have tried other laptops and they pale in comparison. The touchpad is smooth and responsive. It is a joy to use.
One of the things I also like about Macs is their operating system, OS X. Unlike Windows machines that try to be all things to all people, OS X is truly a desktop experience with a file system that makes sense and access to desktop applications. True, the MacBook Pro does not have a touch screen, but then again, if that is what I wanted, I could pick up a tablet.
I tend to upgrade computers frequently and the MacBook Pro, unlike an equivalent PC, tends to hold its value pretty well. Unlike PCs, a high-end MacBook Pro should also last for at least four to five years before an average user would even need to think about upgrading. Given Apple's closed architecture and operating system integration, a Mac is actually a good purchase. True, a MacBook Pro is more expensive than an equivalent PC, but then again, the MacBook Pro also does not come with any annoying shovel-ware that I would just need to uninstall after purchasing it. If you're looking for inexpensive or cheap, then the 15" MacBook Pro is not what you want. If you are willing to pay a little bit more for a computer that is definitely worth the premium (and are willing to learn some new keyboard shortcuts if you currently use PCs), this is a great option.
Apple also has a 13" model of the MacBook Pro, which can be a good compromise if you are looking for something a little more portable and less expensive. I used to have one of the newer 12" MacBooks as well, which was a sensational computer for traveling. The form factor on that unit was almost that of an iPad... It was incredible. I missed having multiple USB ports, however. I never could get quite used to the new keyboard mechanism, and the fanless computer MacBook, while incredibly cool and quiet, was horribly underpowered, especially if a person does any video editing or other processor-intensive tasks.
While I miss the extreme portability of my 12" MacBook (the 15" MacBook Pro feels like a boat anchor in comparison), the power of my 15" MacBook Pro is something I simply could not live without. With the 1 TB SSD, it truly does serve as not only my laptop, but a desktop replacement as well. (I found myself using my 15" MacBook Pro more than my 27" 5k retina iMac, so I sold the iMac and use the MacBook Pro as my sole computer now.) When at home or work, I just plug another monitor into the built-in HDMI port and I am all set with dual-screen computing. When on the go, the 15" screen provides plenty of real estate to multitask as well.
Ultimately, if you are looking for a computer to browse the internet, answer mail, and maybe do some word processing, this computer would probably be overkill. If you need portability and power, however, the 15" MacBook Pro is definitely difficult to beat.