With two brand new versions of Windows by November 1, the end of the Windows world as we know it is already here.

Yet although this has since been firmly denied by Microsoft who insist they are sticking to their most recent release date pronouncements, it would certainly come as surprise to many if Microsoft did indeed launch consumer versions of Vista in December. Unfortunately as my crystal ball is in the shop for repairs (apparently it needs a total reformat and operating system upgrade, can you believe it!) we’ll just have to wait 6-8 weeks to find out.

The long expected Vista upgrade coupon is also due to launch in the next few weeks too. After all, Microsoft is working hard to ensure people keep on buying new computers between now and Vista. Consumers this Christmas/holiday season have a tough choice to make if they’re interested in a new PC running Windows Vista – and don’t want to buy Windows ‘twice’ in the space of a two or three months.

The simple questions are:

- Should you buy a PC now?
- Should you buy one with a Vista upgrade coupon as soon as they become available in as little as a couple of weeks?
- Should you buy a a computer that’s pre-loaded with Vista early next year?
- Or should you buy a Mac so you can run Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Vista and other operating systems simultaneously for the best of all worlds?

It’s a tough question that only personal circumstances, needs and desires can answer for you. Regular ITWire readers might already know that my current dream system is a Core 2 Duo MacBook/MacBook Pro to get the best of simultaneously running multiple operating systems, more processor power, lower power consumption and cool design.

Unfortunately that particular model doesn’t exist quite yet. Microsoft clearly isn’t the only one taking their sweet time to deliver the next generation of technology to consumers!

If you need a new computer, either hold on just a bit longer – you’ve waited this long already – or just make sure you buy one with 2Gb of memory and the fastest configuration you can afford to make the eventual Vista transition that much easier, if Windows Vista is your thing, of course.