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For full disclosure I use a lot of Microsoft Products (HTC Trophy, Outlook.com, Office, Bing) and was a huge fan of Windows 7, so I didn't upgrade without trepidation. Additionally, I chose to update my Asus Eee Slate, which has a penabled touch screen and several Bluetooth accessories I use with it (keyboard, mouse, headphones). I am also fairly competent with computers. Overall my experience has been very favorable even if it took a little getting used to. I do not have a track pad like most laptops so I cannot comment on use with these systems, but a traditional mouse and keyboard allow the OS to be very functional even without using the touch screen. I find that when I am using mouse and keyboard, I am not reaching for the screen at all.
SOFTWARE
The big difference is the loss of the traditional start menu which is now replaced with the start screen. After about a week's use, I have come to understand the difference between the two types of apps. There are traditional Windows desktop apps which you can port over from any version of Windows (I have been using Adobe Design Studios, Office 2010, and others) with only a minor difficulty syncing my phone in the old Zune app. If you are trying to do this last part, you have to make the software forget your phone to let it sync again.
In addition to the traditional applications are more touchscreen friendly apps designed to run in full screen or snapped mode only. Because of my screen resolution, I cannot use the snap function, but it basically lets you use two "apps" on the screen simultaneously. These apps are a bit simpler than their desktop countertops, typically performing a simple function. I like the people, messenger, email, music, and news apps that come preinstalled. The music app was able to sync my old zune music into the new xbox music service. I'm hoping at some point to be able to no longer need the old zune software, which is a possibility when the phone software gets updated.
USE:
The touch screen use is very intuitive and easy to learn. Slide from screen left to switch apps (like alt+tab), if you pause and slide back to the left before releasing it opens a menu where you can see all the open apps (like holding alt after pressing alt+tab). Slide from screen right to open the program menu and option to go to start screen. Slide from the top or bottom of the screen and different menus open depending on your program. To close a program drag the top of the program to the bottom.
While on the start screen, a list of your common applications are displayed, some having live tiles that update some information for you. I like the layout better than my old cluttered taskbar. You can move the icons and resize them. I didn't find it very difficult to figure out with the touchscreen. To access your hidden apps drag up from the bottom of the screen.
The normal keyboard functions like you expect them to including Windows pulls up the start screen. Win+tab, alt+F4, Alt+tab, etc work. Placing the mouse in the corners pulls up the menus from the left and right side of the screen. To bring in menus from the top or bottom of the screen, right click somewhere in the dead space of the screen.
Some of the settings are tricky to find, but I will share with you. Right click the lower left corner and a menu will open letting you access control panel, etc. You can also find these functions by typing in the search box on the right menu or from the "All Apps" section.
COMPLAINTS
This is more for complaints I read about and or was concerned with before the upgrade but am no longer affected by.
1) It takes too much work to use a mouse and keyboard-I think it is essentially no more difficult or easier. It is much easier with the touch screen.
2) IE10 will not import your favorites-All of mine imported.
3) IE10 is separate from the desktop-most of the settings are located in the desktop version and while you cannot drag from one to the other you can transfer any page you are viewing on the tablet version to the desktop version by clicking the wrench in the lower right corner.
4) Multitasking is difficult-multitasking is no different except tablet versions of programs open full or snapped screen only, which has its own benefits.
5) Xbox music will not sync old Zune music pass data-it does.
6) Spider Solitaire does not exist anymore. It is available in the Store-Search for Solitaire Collection
7) Accessories would not work-All do
8) Adobe software wouldn't work-It does
--that's all I can think of right now
CONCLUSION
That probably seems like a lot of things to get used to, but it is actually a lot more intuitive once you play around with it. My experience has been very good. I am very happy with the upgrade. I don't really have any complaints.
UPDATE:
I really like the interface. I originally updated from Windows 7 to this on my touch slate computer. I found all of the functionality easy enough and missed some of the tablet apps on my desktop, so recently updated that computer to Windows 8 Pro. Works great. No complaints. Syncs nicely.
Also, my wife liked it enough that she updated her laptop to Windows 8 Pro without touch screen. Nice part for her was it also helped her get rid of a problem she was having with a new format/installation.
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Reviews with images
Simple Add-On to Make It Like Win 7
So I just bought a new HP desktop 3 weeks ago that is fairly well tricked out:Pavilion h8-1233, Core i5-355010 GB RAM2 TB hard driveAMD Radeon HD 7570 video cardIt came with Windows 7, which is what I wanted because I was reading very uncomplimentary reviews of W8. However, I learned that Microsoft is providing $15 upgrades to W8 thru Jan 2013 for anyone buying a new PC with W7, AND that HP is offering a $15 rebate to anyone that purchases a new HP (with W7) that upgrades to W8 during that same time period.It was a compelling proposition. Zero cost and I will have future-proofed my OS for a few more years. And W8 supposedly runs faster than W7, although I had no complaints at all with W7 on this new machines. I was still on the fence though, because that stupid metro interface with the tiles does not appear to be very customizable, and is not geared to using a mouse but rather a touchscreen. What to do?The thing that pushed me over the edge was reading about a $5 piece of software that brings back your start button and automatically boots your computer to the desktop (not the metro tile start page). This software is called Start8 by Stardock. Google it and check out the demonstration video.So, how did it go? Not too bad. It took me about 20 minutes to download the 2 GB W8 software file (bought it directly from Microsoft), then it took about 15 minutes to run the compatibility check and uninstall 2 drivers and the antivirus software that were 'not compatible' with W8. The actual install took about 25 minutes, which involved several reboots but no actions needed on my part. When it booted up the first time, I had to log into my windows live account, which is not connected to any of my other accounts (facebook, etc.) so that was kind of a waste because none of the live tiles displayed any personal information. It apparently couldn't even figure out where my computer is located, because the weather tile kept cycling through different locations around the world.Anyway, I had to then spend another 30 minutes downloading and installing several rounds of windows updates, new drivers, and new antivirus software.I then downloaded and installed Start8 from Stardock, went quickly through the setup, and am up and running with my W8/W7 hybrid. I have rebooted several times since then and it successfully goes right to the desktop. I can still move the cursor over to the right corner and get the charms bar, and go to the metro start page if I want to, but for now I don't see the need.Is W8 better than W7? Not with a high-powered desktop with no touchscreen. Am I glad I did it? Sure, I paid $5 to get the latest OS which will hopefully receive a few improvements and refinements. Or, if W9 really works much better, I will (hopefully) be assured an easier upgrade to that.I also added a photo showing the start button here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/moL8M8MU76PB1Q/B008H3SW4I/ref=cm_ciu_images_pl_link
Top reviews from other countries
Kim L
once you tweak the OS, it is fantastic
Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2013
cooger
No issues and saved £100 so well worth a two step upgrade
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2015Amazon Customer
Some incompatibilities for updating from a previous version of Windows.
Reviewed in Canada on August 23, 2022M. Lindley-Thompson
Successfully upgraded from Vista Ultimate
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2014