I've said this a million times, Windows 8 is Microsoft's way of trying to grab the lions share of the tablet market. I have Windows 8 on a tablet, not the crap RT version, but full blown win8. For a touch OS it's really good. The software availability is the biggest issue currently. Most of the software on their store is utter crap or a junk port or wrapper. While you can run and access standard windows programs, the UI is hard to use due to the small active areas. It's like using your PC with all thumbs. You really need a mouse or touchpad to use a pointer to hit small buttons and menus with the old school UI. Sure you could run Windows 8 on a standard PC, but the whole point of the OS is control via touch surface and really, who has a touch monitor? Yes, they are out there, but honestly, do you want one? Touch screens will always be a part of the portable market. The bottom line is if you're getting a tablet, Windows 8 is a serious choice. Get the full version and not "Windows 8 RT". If you're getting a standard PC with a keyboard and a mouse, get Windows 7 and wait for Windows 9. I'll lay even odds at Windows 9 being more like 7 than 8 with the option of using the touch UI if it's included at all. MS is going to have to go down two product paths here, an OS for a portable touch surface and and OS for keyboard/mouse "real" PC. Here's the tablet I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AA6OVLI Arrr! Capt'n Skunky