I think the most remarkable thing about even considering Windows 8 for the majority of users is the learning curve that is involved. Most people really resist change or leaving the comfort of the familiar. The new Windows 8 OS is a horse of another color most. However, given a little time to become familiar with the changes, it's really not that big of a departure from Windows 7 or any of its other predecessors. I've seen a lot of talk on here about how many users complain of being lost while trying to navigate between the familiar Desktop and the new Metro GUI.
Navigating between the two is as simple a taping the Windows key to toggle back and forth between the two. The ability to use Hotkey shortcuts to navigate your way around Windows 8 is really no different than it was in earlier versions of Windows -- not much has changed there!
The one change that does concern me a bit is the addition of the new SmartScreen feature. It seems a bit intrusive to me, but that's just me. The notion that Microsoft has the ability to monitor every new application you install, just doesn't "feel right" to me. If the monitoring isn't bad enough, this feature also reports back to a MS server to check what you are installing against a list of MS approved (compatible) applications using things like digital signature information. Oh, but it gets worse! Registry information from your system is then sent and stored remotely to be used to "Keep Your System and Compatible Applications Updated."
There is also the tracking feature used by the alternative sign-in option, where Windows 8 users can now use their Windows ID to log onto their computer as well as Live Tiles, MS Office, etc... That said, I trust Microsoft much more than I do Google, when it comes to privacy. However, these types of new OS features are starting to look alot like "Big Brother" to me.
The OS, itself, is great! Its faster, simpler (once you get use to it), and arguably more secure than earlier versions of Windows. It represents either the first steps or a really big push towards getting us to move our digital lives into the cloud. That means everything, storage, application, services, etc.... Gone will be the days of the old desktop and laptop pc, so we can focus more on improving our broadband infrastructure in America, which Google is currently doing with its Google Fiber project.
We need to stop being afraid of changes and tackle the learning curve head-on, which easier said than done for most people. Imaging the day when you can be just as productive at work using a tablet as using a desktop provides today. Spend some time to get familiar with Windows 8. You'll find the old adage, which says, "The more some things change - The more others stay the same" its quite true. I'm surprised that so many "Techies" are being so hard on the new OS. The actual Market version will be pretty different than the version Microsoft has released for us to test. Imagine the data they've been collecting from not just the error reports sent from pc's using the Beta version, but also from discussions like this one that are happening all over the web.
Relax!!! Take the time to learn what you can about this new OS, so you can better help your clients overcome their own learning curve with the new OS.