How long will this PC last and should i even bother with vista??

Computers are evolving every day. Base your selection on your current needs. Get a large HDD and plenty of RAM. If you hurry, you should be able to find a computer that comes with Windows Vista and WinXP. This way you can still legally use XP now but still legally use Vista once all the bugs are worked out. Look for buzz words in the ads like "free downgrade".