I’ve been reading a lot of exciting things about the next version of Windows, dubbed Windows 7. Of course, the term “exciting” is relative.

No one can say that waiting for Windows Vista was exciting. For years, industry insiders knew the replacement operating system for Windows XP as “Longhorn.” There were promises about its power security, and ease-of-use. We waited and waited and waited.

Waiting can build anticipation, but anticipation is fleeting. The line between anticipation and frustration isn’t well-defined, but it exists. That frustration goes away when the product is spectacular. Windows Vista is okay, not as terrible as the press would have it, but there is tremendous animosity out there over a long-delayed project that wasn’t an absolute home run.

Windows 7 has some anticipation about it now. There is little excitement, because Vista has been so disappointing. But there is anticipation. Microsoft is dropping hints and you’ll see some on the various rumormonger web pages.

A question I just got via e-mail was whether it was worth it to wait for Windows 7 or to get a new PC with Vista.

First, you have no choice: Your new PC will come with Vista. You can still downgrade to XP. Heck, you could downgrade to Windows 95 if you have the desire to do so. But I feel it’s prudent at this point to go with Windows Vista. You’re going to have a new computer for 6 years. Do you want to be using Windows XP, released in 2002, in the year 2014?

Second, there is no point in waiting for a product that may never exist. Vista, née Longhorn, was supposed to be out in the same 18 to 24 month timeframe as Windows 7 looms. So the wait for Windows 7 could be a long one.

My advice is this: When you’re ready to buy a new computer, buy it. Waiting is eternal. Microsoft will always release a new version of Windows. Always. There will always be another one in the works. You can wait forever and never get anything done. When you’re ready to buy, buy.

Eventually we’ll have Windows 7. It will have a clever name, something other than “7” (though anything is possible). It will have bugs. There will be pundits who loathe it. But for right now, it’s not worth worrying about it.