I'm a Win7 user myself and think buying a Vista based system would be a big mistake. However, seeing as you are asking this on a keyboard forum, I presume the new laptop would be used for music, in which case, Have you considered buying an Apple. IMO Apple is a much much better system to have than a Windows based system. The O.S is rock solid and great for using as a core music system for DAW and Virtual Instruments etc. If I was in the market for new laptop or Desktop machine, I would go for Apple, budget permitting of course.