It is a real dilemma for anyone needing to get a new PC at the moment.
Do you go for Vista which may or may not run your existing software, and which (allegedly) is still buggy?
Do you get XP which is superseded and may not run new software?
Do you get a Mac (at a price!) knowing that OS-X Tiger will replaced by Leopard within a few weeks?
Do you get Linux and accept that it will run virtually none of your software but will do so very cheaply?
Do you search eBay for 'abacus' and learn how to write with a pen again?
Decisions, decisions....