I've read it handles multithreading better. Also, I have an x64 CPU but a x86 version of Win7. Upgrading seems easier than finding a new copy of 7.

Just played with my friends computer today with 8. It is really annoying the way the start menu is on a separate screen. It almost seems to take steps backwards in user compatibility.

I just bought a new laptop... and made sure it was Windows 7 instead of 8. Aside from the horrible reviews, it also seems that Windows 8 considers any disk partition it can't read to be corrupt and attempts to "fix" it. Consequently, you can't dual boot a different OS. That alone was enough to dissuade me.

"Upgrading seems easier than finding a new copy of 7."

Hahahahaha, oh my sides.

I couldn't agree more. While the software interface is updated, it leaves a lot to be desired (including a cluttered home screen filled in with those boxes). Stick with Windows 7 on a fast computer like a Lenovo Ultrabook or an HP Sleekbook 15.6 " ENVY.

its litterally touchpad technology integrated onto a desktop. dont do it it is horribad

It's pretty.

horribad??

+1 for Word invention

I don't know, I just kinda want something different.

I've tried forever to get ubuntu working on my laptop and there's always some problem, so I don't care about dual booting any more.

The laptop has a touchscreen, but touch on 7 blows, so I never use it.

Okay, I'll give you that Ernst, visually it looks nicer then windows 7, and I think you just found the only upside of it. The touchscreen interface isn't better then 7 even if you have a touchscreen. The different window for apps and programs is ridiculous, the restructuring of drives is unneeded and prevents dual boots, the apps are untested and enter a whole new domain of security problems. I'd be more inclined to downgrade to vista then upgrade to 8 at the moment.

I played with 8 on one of those new fancy Surface things. It seems like a really nice mobile interface, but nothing more.

Have you tried Mint? I had terrible luck with Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch on my laptop for quite a while, but Mint works like a charm almost right out of the box.

Windows XP ROCKS! Why would anyone EVER upgrade?

I have a Surface and I love the thing

No, I haven't tried Mint. Honestly, I think my days of dicking around with Linux are behind me.

Eh, I'd go back to linux, abge. You want something different, so you're going to move on to something that everybody hates just for a change, rather than putting a little more time into something that almost everybody has found stable, configurable, and awesome?

I am using it on my new Sony Vaio Touch. Without the touchscreen, it is next to useless. It has some nice features under the hood, but the separate start screen and the challenges of getting to Control Panel and other settings... If it weren't for my touchscreen, I would downgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (benefits of being a Microsoft certified professional with a MSDN pro subscription).

My wife's new laptop is Windows 7 and I plan to keep it that way.

Oh, and forget about using pop mail, Windows 8 is only imap compatible.

I've spent hours trying to configure Ubuntu to my laptop. It simply isn't worth it, imho.

Ubuntu sucks, though.

I'll leave it there. You're tech savvy enough to know if you don't want to use linux. I just don't understand your thought processes (which I don't have to, so I'll shut up now).

I don't have a problem with Ubuntu in general. That's what I have on my lab desktops.

Oh god, you use Ubuntu for work?

Not to derail the thread further, but I would strongly suggest using a less bloated distro.

We use a Cluster for all our real simulation and timing. Ubuntu is fine for the small work, though.

Doesn't most everything windows suffer from being terribloated, let alone being so-called horribad?

It takes several minutes to adjust the UI to resemble Windows 7 (installing 3rd party, and pretty pimped, Start menu on main toolbar, shortcuts to the options and settings you change often etc.). After that, you can enjoy quicker booting times and other under the hood improvements without any consolish downsides. I couldn't care less for dual boot and similar stuff but then I'm not a nerd.

Well, I blatantly disregarded all of the advice here and am installing it now. Will let you know what I think.

Well you aren't completely disregarding it. It is, as uly says, greatly improved under the hood. And it is faster boting or resuming, but I can speak to how much because I went with an SSD instead of an HHD which makes HHD look like a dial up modem compared to a broadband connection.

My first impression is surprisingly good.

The touch screen is *much* more responsive even with the older hardware. Also, 8 was significantly better at recognizing my drivers than 7 was. That alone may have made it worth it.

Some things are a bit wacky, but I think I'll get use to them. There are obviously a lot of improvements needed, but I'm glad I bought it when the sale was still on, rather than waiting for it to improve and having to pay full price.

May I ask what you paid? I got mine with the new ultrabook and have access to it off my MSDN subscription even if I hadn't.

$40 for Win8 Pro with Media Pack

Very nice price. Was that an upgrade price? I heard MS was going to mke upgrade pricing reasonable and keep it that way.