A quick response to your "can I upgrade my Vaio?"--I have another Vaio (VGN-SZ650N), and I received the SAME note from Sony ("The hardware configuration of this model does not meet the minimum system requirements needed to run and provide the full experience of the Windows® 7 operating system"). However, I am currently already using Windows 7 (having installed it as the RC version and am about to upgrade to the final (RTM) version. Thus, this note from Sony is nonsense and probably reflects a decision by Sony not to supply additional drivers. During the summer, I set up my Windows 7 "RC ("release candidate") system as a dual-boot one, leaving Vista for the final upgrade. Most drivers installed automatically, but I managed to find drivers for the webcam, etc., without difficulty, and it has been performing excellently for months. I am about to install the definitive Windows 7 to replace the RC version, but I was considering whether to do a Vista upgrade versus a clean install (note that Engaget.com strongly recommends the "clean install"--"well worth the hassle."). This note from Sony has finally convinced me that Engadget is correct. Note that you have to carefully back-up all your data files, etc, and I haven't yet sorted out all the details. But the bottom line is that the Sony message is not accurate.
