I have to disagree on two things. First: although the N900 has some shortcomings it works. You adapt to workaround some lack of features easily. Now, the great thing about it is that it is the most open and working smartphone that is generally available today. It is definitely the piece of land you want to be in.

Second: it seems it will be possible to install maego on the N900. What the bloggers and mailing lists are saying is that it probably won't be possible to upgrade from maemo 5 to Meego only. There won't be an "upgrade button", but you will probably be able to flash (with some hackery, maybe) Meego into it.

If you decide to wait for the next version, then, just before it is released there will be the other next version and so on...