just go for linux, its free and will do everything that the non-gamer head requires.... and then some if you are a developer like myself.
But its media applications remain primitive, unfortunately. Were it otherwise, I'd have Ubuntu on my pooter like a shot.
Windows 7 might perform well in its early days, but I wonder how fast it will be in six months after users have loaded it with software and M$ has stuffed it with patches. I'm going to stick with the devil I know for the time being.