I will wait for at least 6 months to get a lot of the bugs shaken out!!!! I have Windows XP Pro right now, and it is very stable with minimal problems. Windows is never quite perfect, but what I have now is very tolerable.
I will build a new system when I get ready to go with Windows Vista. I don't want to buy HP, Dell, Sony, or any of the professionally produced computers. If you build your own, you can pay a little more, but get just exactly what you want. I have 2 gig of fast ram right now, and want at least that if not more. Some people might think that 2 gig is overkill, but it keeps the computer working much faster. I have an Intel 630 hyperthreading processor, and that makes me want a dual processor in my next machine.
Windows XP is far superior to any of the previous Windows systems, and hopefully Vista will be even better. The first months of Vista will likely be like most new products, and have quite a few idiosyncrasies that will be resolved after a few months.
I updated an old Gateway from Windows 98 SE to Windows XP, and that improved the reliability 100% That is a 1999 model and about ready to be put out to pasture when I get my new one up and running with Vista.
Ron Geiken