Just as Vista came out, my old laptop gave up the ghost, but I still wanted XP because I use it at work as well and I have loads of software I have recently put onto it. I then went to PC World and Curry's (as they are closest to my home in case of problems), and the only machines with XP on them were a few really expensive models (like HP) or ex-display models. I bought a display model from PC World and took it back after a week with a problem. Then luckily (I thought!) they had the same make in a box, but it was the last unused one available as they were going like hotcakes due to the sale of XP-running machines. Then that one went wrong as well!! This is now my third one in an many weeks and I had to get an ex-display model again as everything else had Vista on it. I was annoyed to be so limited in my choice of machine just because I wanted XP. Most of the ex-displays in Curry's had buttons missing off them anyway, so that cut down my choice as well. I love the look of Vista but I have loads of XP software not yet supported by Vista (as does everyone else I'm sure). Even some of the salesmen were saying it would be better to wait until bugs and other software, etc have been sorted out before buying Vista. In the Microsoft magazine I bought the other day it tells you how to make XP look like Vista (by using downloads from different sites), so maybe I'll try that first! I find it frustrating that as soon as a new product comes out, everyone is forced sooner rather than later to change, even if happy with what they have.