Im sorry to say, i'm a linux fanboy. If you get it working: it works. And it works forever.
Now my testimonial. I just built a machine for my mother. Intel Xeon E3110 at 3ghz, 4gb of DDR1066 ram, an ok graphics card from ATI. Windows XP.
Now about the system. I boot up with 250mb of ram being used. Why does she have 4gb? becuase she runs heavy CPU programs. But thats ok. At the end of the day she uses 400mb of RAM. Even though she only needs 512mb of RAM, it runs fast.
Now tell me.
HOW MANY PEOPLE are able to get their system, completely updated, and patched, to run with that much memory used?
I would really like to know. I really worked hard for it, and there are no real special effects, but i consider that true computer Administration. If you can't do that, go to linux. Its easier.
Can't say the same for vista though. I got it under 600mb if that counts.