Windows 7 Anyone?

Is anyone contemplating changing over to the new Windows 7 Operating System? I must purchase a new desk top computer (thinking Dell), replacing a 2003 Gateway that crashed, and see that some with the Vista OS are eligible for upgrading to Windows 7, which Dell says is easily accomplished by the buyer once the software goes public on October 22, or Dell will make the change for me at that time and ship the computer then. Hate to wait. I'm not clear on whether that will change the sale price of the various computers they have listed.

I'm wondering whether to buy direct from the manufacturer (with or without the new Windows 7 OS) or get one from Costco, where I would definitely have to do the upgrade myself. I have heard that Costco has a very friendly return policy should the product not perform. I haven't heard one way or the other regarding the manufacturer's policy...just some minor carping about features of the Dell which would probably not be very meaningful to me, such as ultra-gaming technology and super graphics capability.

Also I don't know whether I would be able to get myself up and running with the new system and router for a laptop I already own. There is no transition of files to be done, as my desk top computer is unbootable. I did back up the entire system to an online service about ten days ago, so I should be able to get my pictures, personal files, etc. back. Since I left my job a couple years ago, I no longer consider myself in the least tech savvy and it cost me about $250 to get a techie person to come to the house and get up and running when I moved here. I'm not eager to attack this alone. I know I've got a lot going on here, but would be glad for any comments or advice.