Being the lucky chap I am, my mom is an MSDN developer - I downloaded the Windows Vista DVD (legally) from MSDN developer site, requested serial number, and installed on my laptop (Dell 600m 1.6GHz Centrino) and crossed my fingers. This laptop is not my primary PC, though I should consider it as such since my desktop motherboard is in the mail, HOPEFULLY.
Anyway - I put this OS on and honestly, it's neat. Obviously there are some issues with driver support and what not (for instance, since my computer is centrino a lot of the components on the laptop are modular and Dell is slow to release drivers) but it seems to be solid otherwise. I installed AIM and it's not taking so far but I will try compatibility mode and what not. Surprisingly, Mozilla Firefox installed perfectly - so much for Microsoft weeding out competition eh?
Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is running this yet - again, this is not a pirated version or a beta, it is the final release that has been opened to MSDN members - I am running Windows Vista Ultimate, and so far, so cool!
Will post screenshots later.