Hey Windows fans

[Perndog]

I'm running Ubuntu Linux right now and I don't have a Windows license of any type nor an easy connection for a pirate copy. I'm planning on having Windows on my computer eventually, to run my notation software and a new Soundblaster X-Fi, and I expect Vista will be the way to go. But the consumer release of Vista isn't expected until January, and I want to play Hellgate: London when it comes out in October instead of waiting three months. And I'm hesitant to expect it will run well in WINE for a while.

So I'm wondering if anyone has a good guess what might the difference in price be between buying a copy of Windows XP now and upgrading some time later or just waiting until January and getting the new OS then? I may just make myself wait if it looks like it'll cost too much more.