If you've been a patient PC user in need of a new computer but have been waiting for Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, early reports say that your patience will be rewarded.

Vista, the disappointing three-year tour between Windows XP and Windows 7, may have improved over time, but the public relations damage was done early by the sluggish, overly alarming, and often-incompatible-with-other-gadgets-and-software system's performance. Two third of corporations never made the move from XP to Vista, which made Microsoft want to get its newest iteration more right than ever. 

So if you are in the market for a computer and are not going the Apple Mac route, make sure you are looking at computers loaded with Windows 7 so you don't have to upgrade after the fact. Reviews, overall, are good. Nothing's perfect, and everyone seems to agree this operating system is not either, but it corrects many of the problems that plagued Vista. It gets a thumbs up from the likes of David Pogue at the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg, a longtime fan of Apple's Mac OS X operating system. He says that it's more of a toss-up now between Windows and the Mac OS with the arrival of No. 7. "Windows 7 beats the Mac OS in some areas, such as better previews and navigation right from the taskbar, easier organization of open windows on the desktop and touch-screen capabilities," he writes.

Some downsides: Pogue notes you will still need additional security software to ward off viruses, and the operating system does not come with software for programs for email, calendar, addresses, managing photos, editing videos, or reading PDF docs. You'll have to download the apps yourself for all of these and more uses on a Microsoft web site, though some computer manufacturers, like Dell, will be selling units with some basic programs preloaded.

My sister has been waiting to buy a computer until Windows 7 emerged, and it seems the wait was well-advised. It's nice to make such a big purchase with excitement and confidence. Has anyone upgraded to Windows 7 or bought a PC with the new operating system? We'd love to hear what you think of it so far.