Windows 8 was a huge step backwards in usability. I had to use it for a couple of weeks before I figured out how to get Linux on a new laptop secure boot. I am using XFCE these days, because it behaves the way I am used to. No need to learn a whole new set of gestures or click combinations to do what I already know.
Windows 8 is a huge step forward in my opinion. It's faster and more stable than 7, the touch drivers work great (I use desktop apps all the time on my Surface Pro and Dell Venue Pro 8) and it's paved the way for running Windows on non-Intel chips as well as for converging the desktop and mobile which is something that I want.
Right now I don't care about the Metro interface at all - 99% of the time, I only see it when I use the Start screen, which is fantastic and works much, much better than the old Start menu despite the loss of recent-document jump lists per app. But, I can see a huge potential in Metro.
