PLS recommendations for patron computers

After all the reading I've been doing about Windows Vista and pondering if we should update our systems, I was relieved to find that PLS recommends staying with Windows XP Professional at this time. The basic computer requirements are a dual -core processor (Pentium D) with 2 GB RAM and non-shared 256 MB video memory. At this time, PLS doesn't provide any maintenance or repair for the 42 libraries in the system, but at our library, we are fortunate enough to have enough outside volunteer help to assist with problems that we run into.
For PLS, the personnel that is involved in the technology/media program planning and budgeting include the executive and assistant directors along with input from the staff. At Gorham, we have a budget committee that is far behind the times as to what the technology should be costing to keep current in today's library. I have really found that the information I have garnered from this class, along with my other computer classes, has at least opened up my eyes to what we should be doing as well as to what I may write future grants for to cover the funding needed. I did discover in my chats with Roma that Gorham isn't alone in not planning for technology, as most of the other libraries in the system don't either, though I don't consider this to be an excuse for my library in the future.
PLS supplies all the libraries in the system with BitDefender which is an anti-virus program. Unfortunately, for my library this feature is not working and no one seems to know why or to be able to repair it. DeepFreeze is on the public computers so that there is a complete reset each time the computers are turned on. PLS does all the updates to these programs, leaving me with one less thing to worry about.
The library is part of OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) provided through PLS. Wiki's and Twiki's are included and are invaluable to me in my hunt for information. There are no RSS feeds on or IM reference services at this time.
My board has a new policy committee that has not yet met but is charged with creating up-to-date policies for the library with a technology policy at the head of the list. I am sure that I will be having a great deal of input into this or else it will never get done. Sound familiar to anyone out there?