My windows 8 experience.

[Tizona]

I got a new laptop for podcasting and gaming a couple weeks ago, and of course had no choice but to get a Windows 8 machine if I was going PC route. I was VERY wary of 8 based on all the negative stuff I had heard.
It did take a bit to get used to, and the dynamic start whatever menu is really not the useful on a non-touch screen device, but besides that it's really not that bad. Runs pretty fast, and I haven't had any compatibility issues updating all my recording stuff so...
It's certainly not "THE FUTURE" of OS but it's really not that bad, especially if you just set it up to boot to the regular desktop.