Everything surpasses Linux at the moment, and probably will into the foreseeable future. Interesting sideline, however, that Ubuntu appears to have been overtaken by Mint, because of Ubuntu's decision to run with the Unity interface, which the vast majority hate with a passion. Mint provides a traditional interface and users don't have to do mods like with Ubuntu to get back the Gnome interface (aka Windows 8 and the desktop start button).
What I'm talking about is that if there was no desktop whatsoever and people had to use just the Modern interface, it would come to a grinding halt, as far as the corporate sector and many other users are concerned. There are a vast number of people who need the ability to do things on multiple screens, with multiple programs running concurrently and visible next to each other. All the Modern interface offers is one app at a time on one screen. I certainly couldn't find a way to open two or more apps at a time and have them visible on different screens, or the one screen.
And why would the Modern interface work in any other way, now or in the future? The interface experience is designed to be the same whether you're using a mobile phone, tablet, PC, TV, kiosk or whatever. If that's what one has to look forward to in Windows 8, I think a lot of people will start to consider their options, once Windows 7 is no longer supported. And that's leaving aside how third party programs are supposed to work on a one screen, unchangeable, interface.