If you want hell on earth, take Vista 64bit
otherwise use XP SP2 Pro or Vista 32Bit
64bit is nice but not for home user or anyone else outside corporate where the needed software is explicitely 64bit and the whole system was built with that in mind.
As mentioned, the driver lack and Vista64bit is a security monster, more secure than any other windows ... in the way that you can not use unsecure stuff and point.
otherwise use XP SP2 Pro or Vista 32Bit
64bit is nice but not for home user or anyone else outside corporate where the needed software is explicitely 64bit and the whole system was built with that in mind.
As mentioned, the driver lack and Vista64bit is a security monster, more secure than any other windows ... in the way that you can not use unsecure stuff and point.