Yeah, I found that 8 was just better on the new laptops. Easier to reinstall with embedded keys, faster boots, etc. Built my image with a third party start menu, go straight to desktop, and ensure all default apps are not metro style apps and users have been pretty happy.
I now have 3 users on Windows 8.1, two were Windows 8.0 images laid down by me, and then immediate upgrade to 8.1 from MSDN media before I gave them their machines. The other was an established system upgraded from the store...that one has been far more problematic..fortunately it's another of my IT co-workers, so he can handle his own issues.