Which Operating Systems is right for us? Windows 7, Vista or XP? The answers are complicated and it depends on many factors. Nobody knows the real truth. Windows Vista had its own problems, start from the beginning. Similarly, Windows 7 is the most flexible Microsoft operating system to date, but PC users will have ample reason to stick with Vista or Windows XP until Windows 7 is "producing" their lack of drivers for many hardware.
It depends a lot on what hardware are you using your computer, which type of computer you're using. There are computers for gamers, office workers, programmers, travelers and business men, web surfers and all have different priorities and will want to choose Operating System accordingly.
But just because Vista was a failure at release doesn't mean it was a bad operating system. Even works better than Windows XP on some PC-s, more reliable due to some hardware drivers. So, the drivers are the soul of communications between Operating Systems and Hardware.
Why aren't compatible always? "God" know. Who is guilty for incompatibility of drivers and OS?