Windows 7 is not going to be different from Vista at all in terms of networking. Heck, XP networking was pretty crummy, too.

I would try using a static IP address, not DHCP. I suspect what's going on is that Norton System Center sucks, or McAfee whatever sucks, not that Vista sucks. While I've seen problems with DHCP on Vista, it was directly related to McAfee HIPS, not Vista. With that product disabled, DHCP worked just fine.

I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!