Personally, I am torn. When I feel more techy and want to keep up, I use Win 8.
However, if I want the programs I lost to get 8 and the ease of 7 I lean that way.
I have images of both but do not go back and forth. I have been with 8 for sometime and will give 8.1 a try when it is an update.
Win 8 is a bit faster.
I did go back to Win 7 for a day and everything was there working well jut as when I bought the pc.
If I want ease and all apps working, I use Win 7 but if I want to work a bit and keep current I use Win 8.
I must say, when I imaged to Win 7 it was not long before I imaged right back to 8.
I know what you mean, Peter. I'm doing my best to get settled in with Windows 8 and am looking forward to the 8.1 upgrade. However, given the learning curve and extra keystrokes required, Windows 8 isn't faster for me.
Quite frankly, I could care less whether I keep up with the Joneses in the Tech department; I just want my computer to do what it's supposed to do and let me get my work done. So far, I've found a few apps that don't play nice with Windows 8, and that's the reason I set up my old dual boot system. If I know I'm going to use something that makes Windows 8 barf, I'll boot up Win 7.
BUT, and it's a great big BUT, I've just upgraded to a new box with only Windows 8 on it. Thus far, I haven't set Windows 7 up on it and probably won't until the 8.1 upgrade. Then, we'll see.
What I especially like about Windows 7 is that the startup window isn't cluttered with a few gazillion tiles unless I put them there. I like my desktop to be clean and neat, without ANY icons on it.
When I beta tested Vista, and went back to XP after the beta was over, it was a real pain in the tush. By the time we finished the beta on Windows 7, there was no way I could go back to XP and I had to have Windows 7. I've rocked back and forth between the two (Win 7 & Win 8) for awhile now, and I'm still inclined to favor Windows 7.
We'll see what 8.1 brings to the party . . .