"You can drag a window to the full size of the screen, but more often than not you simply won't bother. It's rarely helpful to have a window at full screen anyway. I know your mind is screaming "No!" at this, but try it for a couple of days and you'll see for yourself. Just drag a window to the size you want it to be, and leave it at that. "
"If a web page only uses 60% of the width of your screen, what's the use in having the window at 100% -- covering important desktop icons, other windows, etc.
Windows uses an "application-centric" approach to windowing, while Mac OS X uses a "document-centric" approach to windowing -- where no one window should monopolize the entire screen."
"On the Mac, because of the universal menubar you really don't have to take over the entire screen since you'll always have access to the menu at the top of the screen, unlike the other desktop environments that have them per window which can get confusing for some users."
"Another reason for not going fullscreen is because it makes it easier to drag and drop components from one application into another. "
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So yeah, apparently I don't want to maximize a window, I only think I do. However, software like WriteRoom (http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom), a full screen text editor receives terrific reviews:
"WriteRoom — Distraction free writing. For people who enjoy the simplicity of a typewriter, but live in the digital world. WriteRoom is a full-screen writing environment. Unlike the cluttered word processors you're used to, WriteRoom is just about you and your text."