If you're not in a hurry, wait for the new Intel-based iBooks. The idea with those will be to run a native install of Windows, not VPC. I can tell you that it's pretty much impossible to run Windows on a current Intel-based iMac and Macbook Pro. But I also know a bit about some changes coming down the line and can say it's safe to assume that future machines will make the process easier. I can't say for certain the iBooks will install Windows out of the box, but at worst, like the other machines, you'll be waiting for a Universal Binary of VPC or a solution like WINE. Vista apparently will not support EFI (what Intel Macs use instead of BIOS) out of the box, so current owners won't have any additional luck with that over XP.

The machines will be here before the middle of summer, so you don't have very long to wait. Judging by this year's product releases you can expect the systems to be the same price as those they're replacing.

Bruno