Win 7 works for me. My wifes new laptop had Win 8, my first job was to make it as Win 7 as possible (downloaded an app to get the Start button back).
I truly believe that if a competitor had been ready with a viable alternative (i.e., consumer friendly and ready for purchase), Win 8 would have driven a LOT of people away. Microsoft benefits from not having competition in the PC market. Too bad for us.
If ony Chrome had be fully polished, poised for deployment . . . I can only dream. Don't get me wrong - not a Chrome fan (as it was published) - but would love a "plug and play" alternative to Win 8. Someone at Microsoft crapped the bed on Win 8, and we're being told that the smell and texture is actually pleasing to the senses....