Have you tried contacting the suppliers and asking for a down-grade? If you're adamant enough they may just accommodate you.

I do it professionally. An hour and you're good to go. Granted, I have more experience than the average user, but the average user than can choose his specs and uses emulators can do a simple revamp like that.

Friend of mine got a win8 MSI laptop and put classic shell on it. Works exactly like 7.

Windows 8 works well. It I've never missed the start menu since I've gotten a windows 8 computer. Also, if you hate it that much, there's free apps that literally turn it into a faster version of windows 7.

Hope the link works:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_operating_system_mrr_1?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A541966%2Cn%3A565108%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER%2Cp_n_operating_system_browse-bin%3A2287320011&bbn=565108&ie=UTF8&qid=1373994911&rnid=562215011

unfortunately no, you can't really find a laptop with windows 7 anymore. i was looking and finally just gave up and got a windows 8 laptop. i really really regret it. window's 8 is just terrible. i hate it soo incredible much.

Looking for a laptop myself that's somewhat decent in the $800-$1000 range that can play FFXIV while i'm having downtime at University.

The inner works of Win8 are just dandy.

The outer shell can be easily replaced.

MAybe try one of those build your laptop sites where youcan pick parts. maybe they will let you pick an os. Here is one for toshiba, i am sure there are others

http://us.toshiba.com/computers/research-center/shopping-guides/custom-laptops/

i wouldn't say easily.  maybe for you but i can't do anything easily in windows 8. 

..and even if it was easy it is a fundamentally flawed product that requires hours of user customization to make it palatable.

but if you want to link me to some instructions on how to replace window's 8 interface with something better i would appreciate it.