I did the upgrade.... and have some words of advice.

If you are upgrading from XP, don't waste your time or money. It has to be a clean, brand new install (called "custom' by Microsoft). You can buy an "upgrade" Windows 7 license to leverage the XP license that you own, but you will have to re-install every piece of software on your computer.

XP won't be end of life for at least 2 more years.... and you will eventually replace your computer. The new one will have Windows 7 on it.

I upgraded from Vista - and it took about 5 hours, moved over a million files.

Everything works, and generally - it does run faster than Vista. The new features are good.... such as Shake, Peek or Snap.

I am not upgrading any of the 3 XP computers that I'm running. Not worth the time, effort or $$$.

I did my research, and knew that I could only upgrade Vista Pro to 7 Pro, Home to Home, etc. But the tech in Staples told me that I could upgrade Home to Pro. Not true.... Like XP, it would leverage the license - but I would have to re-install everything.

I ended up buying another upgrade license and speaking with another tech at Staples. I don't know how he did it, but he convinced the manager to refund my money on the Windows 7 pro kit. The original tech was a bit miffed and started questioning me as if I was an idiot.... so I referred him to this chart:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-considerations.aspx

Only the Green checkmarks indicate an in place upgrade which lets you keep your existing programs.

Another view... only the green boxes are in place upgrades.

Install it to a separate patition and dual boot. Generally, I hate doing a clean install on my music production PC beause of all the serial numbers and account deactivations/reactivations.

I also have a MacBook with Snow Leopard and Win 7!

yes... dual boot would have worked... but I did not want to re-install more than 50 products.... which is why I wanted to upgrade in place.

I use Acronis - CDP for backup of all files, and image backups for the C drive - in case I have to restore the drive.

So overall, is it worth it to upgrade to Windows 7? Or is there not that much of a difference between Vista and 7?

If you're on Vista, I would upgrade.

If you're on XP, don't do it.