Im gonna use my XP License to upgrade for $40, and just install the Win8 Fresh.

Beware WMC in Win8 no longer offers the option to startup WMC fullscreen when the computer boots, pretty idiotic for Microsoft to remove that feature unless they purposely want to get out of the dedicated HTPC business and concede it to the competitors. One reason I am sticking to Win 7 especially for my 2 HTPCs.

Sometimes you just have to wonder if they enjoy ruining a product that has a loyal following amongst customers.

Yes, a lot of Microsofts decisions regarding Win 8 seem designed to appeal to the fruit companies customer base, while simultaniously pissing off the customers who put them where they are. On second thoughts, maybe they see enthusiasts as a small minority of their user base who they can afford to piss off because they'll keep using WIN 7 in the mean time, like the many who still use XP and don't see the need to change even now.

Similar thoughts here. And with all the shiny hooks MS are dangling on the Win8 upgrade, many copies of Win7 are going to be eradicated from the pond.

I seem to recall reading about a more frequent release cycle for Microsoft OS going forward? Something like near annual major releases? If so, then Win7 may be shut out of support pretty quickly. A Win9 release in late 2013 would have Win7 in the same position as WinXP is today, third back and out in the cold.

MS got into it with a few cable companies and rights agencies over WMC and DVD playback via Windows Media Player being FREE and a few other things.

So in the End, MS Cut WMC, and DVD Playback in WMP.

You can only get the WMC addon with Win 8 Pro, so the Home Version is not eligible to purchase the WMC addon (which is where 99% of the Media Center users are, at home.)

More and more "features"/announcements are pushing Windows 8 to mobile.

Everything already mentioned about Win8 already points to Tablets and stuff,

Enter "Windows To Go" Feature:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Windows-8-Run-Flash-Drive-USB-Stick,news-15810.html

Here was an interesting article I was reading that shows Win8 prerelease is off to a bad start compared to Win7:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9...re_launch_stats

Says Microsoft is NOT pushing Windows 8 for "business" use -- rather still recommending Windows 7 to business customers.

Maybe there will be two Windows OS for a long time to come (7 for business, 8 for the masses)?

By making Media Center an extra cost option, Windows becomes less worthwhile (assuming the prices do not drop correspondingly) -- less reason to upgrade. But, most folks don't upgrade. Rather, they buy a new computer and "get the OS the manufacturer put on the machine" -- not really knowing the strengths or weaknesses.

If, starting with Windows 8, Microsoft continues to make each new Windows worse (less convenient, less useful, fewer "free" standard applications), its conceivable that an open source OS may someday replace Windows as the OS of choice. Maybe its just a matter of time.

The "Start" button has been restored by a 3'd party app. I have not downloaded it. But, I may for the couple secondary computers that use Windows 8 preview.

Start 8 App

Something Microsoft should have provided as an option (at least).

i dont think this will work in the retail version, as MS has already confirmed the Start Menu Coding is GONE, and the system will also not allow boot to desktop over boot to Metro.